Question

what defined a lynching according to historical documents?
a public killing of an individual without due process
a formal court proceeding resulting in execution
a legal execution carried out by law enforcement
a private killing witnessed by few people

Explanation:

Lynching is an extra - judicial act. It is the public killing of an individual without following legal due process. Formal court proceedings and legal executions by law enforcement are part of the legal system and not lynchings. Private killings witnessed by few people lack the public nature of lynchings.

Answer:

A. A public killing of an individual without due process