Does the trial court erred in not instructing the jury that an aider and abettor must have knowledge of the unlawful purpose of the perpetrator?

California, United States of America

The following excerpt is from People v. Williams, 16 Cal.4th 635, 66 Cal.Rptr.2d 573, 941 P.2d 752 (Cal. 1997):

Defendant also contends that the trial court erred in not instructing the jury under People v. Beeman (1984) 35 Cal.3d 547, 199 Cal.Rptr. 60, 674 P.2d 1318 that an aider and abettor must have "knowledge of the unlawful purpose of the perpetrator." (Id. at pp. 560-561, 199 Cal.Rptr. 60, 674 P.2d 1318 ["[A]n appropriate instruction should inform the jury that a person aids and abets the commission of a crime when he or she, acting

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