Man accused of shooting 17-year-old Ralph Yarl to appear in court Thursday
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Andrew Lester, the man accused of shooting 17-year-old Ralph Yarl, is scheduled to appear at the Clay County Courthouse Thursday at 10 a.m. for his preliminary hearing.
Lester is pleading not guilty to two charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action.
Yarl is expected to take the stand during Thursday’s hearing, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Background
On April 13, then 16-year-old Ralph Yarl, went to a home to pick up his siblings but approached the wrong home. After ringing the doorbell, the teen was shot twice by 84-year-old Andrew Lester, in the head and right arm.
Four days later, on April 17, Yarl was released from the hospital, the same day Lester was taken into custody.
On April 19, Lester was released on a $200,000 bond and pleaded not guilty to both charges.
On May 31, a judge ruled to partially seal the case, citing the physical safety of Lester.
Charges
- First-degree assault: punishable between 5-30 years in prison
- Armed criminal action: punishable between 3-10 years in prison
Aftermath
Yarl continues his recovery after being shot and released from the hospital. His family said he now lives with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). In May, the teen and his family participated in a Memorial Day run/walk ing the Brain Injury Association.
Yarl has multiple medical professionals in his family who are taking care of him, and the family has also hired a trauma-informed psychologist and therapist to work with him.
Lester has pleaded not guilty to armed criminal action and first-degree assault charges and remains free on a $200,000 bond.
Lester’s attorney, Steven Salmon, argued in a legal filing that the court record should be sealed, noting that Lester has been harassed and threatened. Salmon also noted that the publicity could make it difficult to find an impartial jury and that potential witnesses may be reluctant to testify.
READ MORE: Ralph Yarl makes first public appearance at Memorial Day Run
‘Getting better every day’: Two weeks after being shot, Ralph Yarl continues recovery
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