Opinion ID: 1271148
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Taylor's aiding and abetting.

Text: On the question of aiding and abetting we have said: One cannot be convicted of a crime upon a theory of aiding and abetting unless there is substantial evidence to show he assented to or lent countenance and approval to the criminal act either by active participation in it or by some manner encouraging it prior to or at the time of its commission. Guilt may be established by circumstantial evidence. Knowledge is essential, but neither knowledge nor presence at the scene of the crime is sufficient to prove aiding and abetting. [Authority.] . . . . The underlying precept of aiding and abetting is a requirement that the accessory in some way associate himself with the venture, that he participate in it as something he wishes to bring about, that he seek by his action to make it succeed. [Authority.] State v. Lott, 255 N.W.2d 105, 107, 108 (Iowa 1977). See also State v. Galvan, 297 N.W.2d 344, 348-49 (Iowa 1980); State v. Cuevas, 281 N.W.2d 627, 631 (Iowa 1979); State v. Jones, 271 N.W.2d 761, 763 (Iowa 1978). Under this record we think there was ample evidence of Taylor's active participation in defendant's willful injury assault upon the officer. Taylor was near the porch when defendant knocked Rice from it. Taylor ran over to join the struggle and began to punch Rice. Taylor then grabbed Rice's handgun, told defendant to move, and fired two fatal shots into Rice's chest when defendant did move.