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Andrew Lester

All articles tagged with #andrew lester

crime1 year ago

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.

via NBC News|
#andrew-lester#crime#kansas-city
crime2 years ago

Wrong Doorbell Ring Leads to Trial for Shooting of Black Teen by Andrew Lester

Andrew "Dan" Lester, an 84-year-old white man, will stand trial for shooting Ralph Yarl, a Black teen who mistakenly knocked on his door. Yarl testified that he thought he was at the correct address but was met with hostility from Lester, who opened the door and shot him twice through a closed and locked storm door. Lester's attorney argued self-defense, citing his fear and the "castle doctrine" in Missouri law. Prosecutors countered that Lester shot an unarmed teenager. The shooting sparked national outcry and protests, although prosecutors stated that the charges against Lester do not have a racial component. Yarl has slowly recovered from his injuries and is planning for college, but his mother expressed concerns for his safety.

via KCUR|
#andrew-lester#crime#mistaken-identity
crime2 years ago

911 Call Reveals Andrew Lester's Admission to Shooting Ralph Yarl in Court Hearing

A judge in Clay County has ruled that there is enough evidence for Andrew Lester, an 84-year-old man, to stand trial for the shooting of Ralph Yarl, a teenager. Lester is charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. During the preliminary hearing, six witnesses testified, including neighbors who heard gunshots and called 911. Attorneys presented the 911 call made by Lester, where he admitted to shooting Yarl, claiming he thought Yarl was trying to break into his home. The hearing also revealed an inconsistency in Yarl's statement regarding whether he rang the doorbell or touched Lester's door. The case had been partially sealed due to harassment and threats faced by Lester.

via KMBC Kansas City|
#911-calls#andrew-lester#crime
crime2 years ago

Teen Shot After Accidental House Mix-Up Faces Shooter in Court

Andrew Lester, the Missouri man charged with shooting teenager Ralph Yarl after he mistakenly arrived at the wrong house, is set to appear in court for a preliminary hearing. Yarl, who suffered a traumatic brain injury, is expected to testify during the hearing. Lester, who pleaded not guilty, was released on bond. The evidence in the case has been partially sealed due to a protective order filed by Lester's attorney, sparking criticism from Yarl's family. The judge ruled that the discovery will be available to prosecutors and the defense but not shared with the public, citing negative media coverage that could affect Lester's right to a fair trial.

via ABC News|
#andrew-lester#court-hearing#crime
crime2 years ago

Missouri teen shot after ringing wrong doorbell speaks out in 'GMA' interview.

Ralph Yarl, the Missouri teen who was shot after ringing the wrong doorbell, has spoken out for the first time in an interview on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Ralph was shot in the head and arm when he went to the wrong house in his Kansas City neighborhood to pick up his siblings on April 13. Andrew Lester, the 84-year-old White man accused of shooting the Black teen, said he thought Ralph was trying to break into the home and he was “scared to death” due to the boy’s size. Ralph’s shooting fueled protests in Kansas City and spurred a “Unity Walk” in support of the teen by an estimated 1,500 students at his school.

via CNN|
#andrew-lester#crime#gun-violence
crime2 years ago

Partial sealing of evidence in Andrew Lester's case for shooting Ralph Yarl.

A judge has partially sealed the case of Andrew Lester, who is charged with first-degree assault in the shooting of teenager Ralph Yarl. The judge ruled that the discovery in the case will be available to prosecutors and the defense, but will not be shared with the public due to the "wide-ranging publicity" of the case. Lester's attorney argued that the publicity has cast Lester "in a negative light" and has eroded his ability to empanel a fair and impartial jury. Yarl's family criticized the decision to partially seal the case, and his father attended Lester's hearing.

via ABC News|
#andrew-lester#crime#protective-order
crime2 years ago

Judge seals evidence in Ralph Yarl shooting case.

A Missouri judge has granted a motion to seal evidence in the criminal case against Andrew Lester, who allegedly shot and wounded Ralph Yarl, a Black teen, after the 16-year-old went to the wrong home to pick up his siblings. Lester's attorneys argued that media attention surrounding the case resulted in threats against their client and that the "ongoing reporting" may hinder his ability to get a fair hearing. Ralph's family is being represented by Ben Crump, who expressed his disapproval of the judge's decision. Lester's preliminary hearing has been set for August 31.

via CNN|
#andrew-lester#ben-crump#crime
crime2 years ago

Judge seals evidence in high-profile shooting case.

Supporters of Ralph Yarl, a 16-year-old who was shot by 84-year-old Andrew Lester in April, packed a Clay County courtroom wearing blue "Justice for Ralph" t-shirts for a hearing on Thursday. The Yarl family and their attorneys are growing frustrated by the way the case is being handled and believe the prosecutor is not handling the case properly. The preliminary hearing is scheduled to begin Aug. 31, a week after Ralph is scheduled to start his senior year at Staley High School. Andrew Lester has pleaded not guilty to armed criminal action and first-degree assault in the case.

via WDAF FOX4 Kansas City|
#andrew-lester#clay-county#crime
criminal-justice-reform2 years ago

Calls for Bail Reform After Release of Ralph Yarl Shooting Suspect

The release of Andrew Lester, an 84-year-old white man charged with shooting a Black teenager, has prompted calls for bail reform in Missouri. Lester was able to pay $20,000 and be released within the same afternoon, while the vast majority of people in jail in Clay County are there awaiting trial. Advocates argue that cash bail upholds racism and white supremacy, criminalizes being poor, and inflates jail populations. Critics want to see changes to Missouri's cash-bail system, including the elimination of cash bail and a shift towards risk-based assessments. Illinois became the first state to eliminate cash bonds in 2022.

via Yahoo! Voices|
#andrew-lester#bail-reform#cash-bail
crime2 years ago

Grandson of Ralph Yarl shooter denies racism played a role.

Relatives of Andrew Lester, who is facing charges for shooting a Black teenager, have denied reports that he opened fire due to racism. Lester's grandson had earlier claimed that the 84-year-old "holds racist tendencies and beliefs". However, another grandson and a nephew have denied those reports, saying that Lester is a "very straightforward, military-trained" veteran, but not a racist. Lester was charged with two felonies on Monday, more than a week after the shooting, which has sparked outrage from civil rights attorneys and the victim's family.

via The Independent|
#andrew-lester#crime#denial
crime2 years ago

The Ralph Yarl Shooting: A Reminder of Racism and Stand Your Ground Laws.

The family of Andrew Lester, the 84-year-old accused of shooting Black teenager Ralph Yarl, have expressed their disgust at the incident. Lester is accused of shooting Yarl twice through the glass screen door of his home in Kansas City, Missouri, when the Black teenager accidentally called at the wrong home to pick up his brothers. Lester has pleaded not guilty to two felonies. The incident has led to protests and an outpouring of support for Yarl from celebrities and donors to a GoFundMe campaign, as the incident casts a renewed spotlight on America’s “stand your ground” laws and whether they help to fuel random shootings and racism.

via The Independent|
#andrew-lester#crime#gofundme
crime2 years ago

Grandchildren of Kansas City shooting victim Ralph Yarl share their perspective.

Andrew Lester, an 84-year-old man accused of shooting 16-year-old Ralph Yarl, pleaded not guilty to first-degree assault and armed criminal action charges. Lester's grandchildren revealed that he has become "staunchly right-wing" and "further radicalized" in his political views. While the prosecutor has suggested a racial component to the case, one of Lester's grandchildren disagrees. Missouri U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley said that everyone deserves the protection of the rule of law, regardless of their skin color. The next court appearance for Lester is set for June 1.

via WDAF FOX4 Kansas City|
#andrew-lester#crime#politics
crime2 years ago

The Controversial Shooting of Ralph Yarl: What We Know So Far.

Andrew Lester, an 84-year-old white homeowner, has been charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action after shooting 16-year-old Black teenager Ralph Yarl, who accidentally rang the doorbell at the wrong house while going to collect his brothers. Lester claimed he was scared and thought Yarl was trying to break into his property. Yarl suffered serious injuries and is recovering at home. The shooting is being investigated for a possible hate crime. Celebrities and protesters are demanding justice for Yarl.

via The Independent|
#andrew-lester#crime#hate-crime
us-crime-news2 years ago

The Ralph Yarl Shooting: Legal Proceedings and Political Controversy

Andrew Lester's ex-wife, Mary Clayton, has revealed that she "was always scared of him" during their 14-year marriage, and is not surprised that the white homeowner shot Black teenager Ralph Yarl last week. Lester has been charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action for shooting Ralph, 16, twice through the glass screen door of his home in Kansas City, Missouri, on 13 April when the Black teenager accidentally called at the wrong home to pick up his brothers. The shooting is now being probed by the Justice Department as a hate crime.

via The Independent|
#andrew-lester#hate-crime#ralph-yarl