Suspect in shooting of Ralph Yarl to stand trial, judge rules

Andrew Lester appears in court to answer charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 in Liberty, Mo. Lester, 84, accused of shooting Ralph Yarl, a Black teenager, pleaded not guilty. (KMBC via AP, Pool)

The man who shot teenager Ralph Yarl will stand trial, a Missouri judge ordered Thursday.

Andrew Lester, the 84-year-old white man who shot Yarl, a Black teenager, previously pleaded not guilty to felony charges. Lester shot Yarl, who was 16 years old at the time, in April after Yarl mistakenly went to the wrong house when picking up his younger brothers. 

Lester later turned himself in to authorities, posted bail and was released on the condition that he turn over any weapons and concealed carry permits, among other requirements. Yarl was hospitalized due to the injuries to his head and arm he received from the shooting. 

Yarl has since spoken out about the incident and said he is just living his life the best he can. He has dealt with headaches, trouble sleeping and difficulty concentrating after the shooting, he told “Good Morning America” in an interview in June. 

Some have noted the racial dynamics of the case, including Clay County, Mo., Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Lee Merritt, the Yarl family’s attorney.

“This defendant, in the probable cause statement, is indicated to have said that he was afraid of Ralph because he is a tall, Black man,” Lucas told “CNN This Morning” in the wake of the shooting

“I think that this has everything to do with race — the defendant’s fear of Black people, Black men, Black boys … I think if the young man wasn’t Black, we wouldn’t be here today,” he added.

Tags Andrew Lester Good Morning America kansas city Lee Merritt Missouri Quinton Lucas Ralph Yarl

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed..

Main Area Top ↴

ovp - video bin

Kelly Rizzo shares details about launching Comfort Club

Kelly Rizzo shares details about launching Comfort ...
Debbie Allen talks 'Grey's Anatony' and her new ...
Fiona Rene shares the unique way she gets into ...
Taylor Krause says her 'brain geunuinely ...
Bethany Joy Lenz opens up about surviving a cult
Dafne Keen shares what it was like on the set of ...
More Videos
Main Area Middle ↴
Main Area Bottom ↴

Most Popular

Load more

Video

See all Video