abettor
n.n. a person who helps someone else commit a crime. This person might not do the crime themselves, but they give advice or support to the person who does.
n. a person who knowingly and intentionally encourages, assists, or facilitates the commission of a crime by another. Often used in legal contexts to distinguish between the principal offender and those who provide secondary support.
The abettor was sentenced to prison for his role in the robbery.
The court found the abettor guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud, even though he did not sign the final documents.
Legal scholars often debate whether an abettor can be held equally responsible for the consequences of a crime if they did not physically participate in its execution.
From Middle English abettour, from Anglo-Norman abettour, from Old French abeter + -our (“-or”). See abet.