Ralph Yarl Shooting Suspect Deemed Fit for February Trial

The trial of Andrew Lester, an 86-year-old white man accused of shooting Black teenager Ralph Yarl in a wrong-door incident in Kansas City, Missouri, is set to proceed as scheduled. Despite a mental evaluation, the trial will begin on February 18, 2024. Lester, who has pleaded not guilty to first-degree assault and armed criminal action, allegedly shot Yarl after the teen mistakenly rang his doorbell. The case has drawn significant public attention, raising concerns about racial motivations and potential jury bias. If convicted, Lester faces life imprisonment.