Accessory
in law, one who is not the chief actor in an offense nor present at its commission, but still is connected with it in some other way. Accessories may become so before the fact or after the fact. Sir Matthew Hale defines an accessory before the fact as one who, being absent at the time of the crime committed, does yet procure, counsel , or command another to commit a crime. If the procurer be present when the evil deed is being done, he is not an accessory, but a principal. An accessory after the fact is one who, knowing a felony to have been committed, receives, relieves, comforts, and assists the felon.