a woman kills men and another woman knows that she is going to do it but doesn't stop her, is the second woman an accessory to murder?
2007-07-20 11:37:50 · 13 answers · asked by writer's block 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
As stated, this is an extremely arbitrary question
A lot depends on WHEN the individual gained the knowledge that this act was going to take place and HOW .... if there was time and ability to notify authorities or to warn people
Simple "failure to act" in a situation like this -- if an individual does not have time or opportunity to warn others or notify someone to intervene -- does not constitute "accessory to the act" --- this is usually a charge brought against someone who actually aids an individual IN the crime either before or after the criminal event !!
Hope this helps !!
2007-07-20 11:53:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE, do no rely on this for any purpose.
No, a person is not an accessory to murder unless she either aids and abets the principal or she has a special relationship with the potential victim which imposes upon her a duty to act.
Under the common law, you have no duty to assist an individual in peril unless you either created the peril or you have some special relationship with the victim (such as a parent and child). This duty also means that you do not have a duty to report a crime.
Again, if the person aids or assists the individual, that person can be charged either as an accessory or accomplice. Furthermore, under the accomplice theory, the accomplice would be also liable for the murder itself.
2007-07-20 19:13:22 · answer #2 · answered by Edward r 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The legal definition of accessory means you weren't there:
--One who incites, aids, or abets a lawbreaker in the commission of a crime but is not present at the time of the crime. Also called accessory before the fact.
--One who aids a criminal after the commission of a crime, but was not present at the time of the crime. Also called accessory after the fact.
2007-07-20 18:46:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Knowledge of the crime without notifying the authorities is an 'accessory before the fact' so yes.
2007-07-20 18:42:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If the bystander was in on the plan, and did nothing to stop, then yes.
If the bystander just happened to be in that place at the time, no. Nobody is required to render aid.
2007-07-20 18:41:30 · answer #5 · answered by browneyedgirl623 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is her moral obligation to report the information, however: the police will not be able to take any action until or unless a crime is committed.
she would not be an accessory unless she participated in some form.
2007-07-20 18:46:01 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your friend kills men and you don't stop her :-O Wow... you're f*cked up. You're worse than I am and I tell ppl to commit suicide on here & give them harry potter spoilers.
2007-07-20 18:44:29 · answer #7 · answered by June 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, if she had the power to do it, but didnt, she was "helping" the murder by not telling any authorities or stoping the criminal..
2007-07-20 19:14:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on when she knew it.
If she knew it was going to happen she is culpable!
2007-07-20 18:42:07 · answer #9 · answered by cantcu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes I believe so
2007-07-20 18:40:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋