Which of the following individuals is considered a principal in the second degree?

In the context of criminal law, a principal in the second degree is someone who aids or abets the commission of a crime but does not directly carry out the criminal act. This legal concept recognizes those who play a support role during the crime, contributing to its execution.

When focusing on the correct choice, individuals who are present at the scene and support the perpetrator, even if they do not directly commit the crime, are identified as principals in the second degree. Their role can include providing assistance, encouragement, or even creating an atmosphere that facilitates the crime. Their proximity to the act and involvement in its unfolding make them accountable under the law.

In contrast, the planner who does not commit the crime has a different legal standing that may fall under different classifications, such as an accessory before the fact. The perpetrator is the principal in the first degree, as this individual is actively engaging in the crime. The individual who assists after the crime would typically be classified as an accessory after the fact, as they do not contribute to the crime's commission but help the perpetrator evade consequences or conceal the crime.

Thus, identifying individuals present during the crime but not actively participating aligns accurately with the definition of a principal in the second degree.