Abettor

One who commands, advises, instigates, or encourages another to commit a crime. A person who, being present, incites another to commit a crime, and thus becomes a principal. To be an abettor, the accused must have instigated or advised the commission of a crime or been present for the purpose of assisting in its commission; he or she must share criminal intent with which the crime was committed.

A person who lends a friend a car for use in a Robbery is an abettor even though he or she is not present when the robbery takes place. An abettor is not the chief actor, the principal, in the commission of a crime but must share the principal's criminal intent in order to be prosecuted for the same crime.

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ABETTOR, crim. law. One who encourages or incites, persuades or sets another on to commit a crime. Such a person is either a principal or, an accessory to the crime. When present, aiding, where a felony is committed, he is guilty as principal in the second degree ; when absent, he is merely an accessory. 1. Russell, 21; 1 Leach 66; Foster 428.