People v. Cooper
California Supreme Court
53 Cal.3d 1158, 811 P.2d 742 (1991)
- Written by Carolyn Strutton, JD
Facts
Cooper (defendant) drove his car with two passengers into a shopping center parking lot and parked the car. After the three men talked outside of the car, Cooper’s two companions ran across the parking lot, slammed an 89-year-old man to the ground, and stole the victim’s wallet. They ran back to Cooper’s car, which Cooper was by then driving with its two passenger side doors open. The two men jumped into the moving car, and Cooper quickly drove away. Cooper and the other two men were charged and convicted of robbery, with Cooper convicted under the theory of accomplice liability. Cooper appealed, alleging that the evidence failed to show that he had prior knowledge of or intent to aid the robbery, and that at most he should be held liable as an accessory after the fact.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Lucas, C.J.)
Dissent (Kennard, J.)
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