People v. Keefer
Supreme Court of California, Department One
3 P. 818 (1884)
Relevant factsFree
Keefer encouraged Chapman to tie up Yuen, and Chapman then killed Yuen without Keefer's knowledge, participation, or any prior agreement to do so; the trial court refused to instruct the jury that Keefer could not be convicted of murder absent presence, aiding, or a conspiracy to kill, and Keefer was convicted anyway.
IssueFree
Whether, in California, a person is an accessory to a crime if he is present during its commission or otherwise assists or aids in the commission or the crime is committed in furtherance of a plan between two or more individuals.