Abdelrahman
Kansas City Man Pleads Guilty in 2023 Shooting Case of Ralph Yarl
LIBERTY, Mo. (AP) – An 86-year-old man from Kansas City, Andrew Lester, entered a guilty plea on Friday to a lesser charge related to the 2023 shooting of Ralph Yarl, a Black honor student who mistakenly rang his doorbell.
Originally set for trial on charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action, Lester faced accusations regarding the shooting incident involving the then-16-year-old Yarl, who survived the attack and has since become a freshman at Texas A&M University, participating in the ROTC program and the university’s marching band.
As part of a plea agreement, Lester pleaded guilty to a second-degree assault charge, which Judge David Chamberlain indicated could result in a sentence of up to seven years in prison. Lester appeared frail and hunched over as he was brought into the courtroom, with his hands folded in his lap.
During the hearing, Yarl and his mother, Cleo Nagbe, occupied the front row. Following Lester’s plea, Nagbe expressed gratitude towards supporters who recognized "Ralph’s humanity" and opposed a world where fear and prejudice threaten innocent lives.
“While this marks a step toward accountability, true justice necessitates consequences that reflect the seriousness of his actions—anything less would fail to acknowledge the harm he has inflicted,” she stated.
The prosecution is seeking a five-year prison sentence for Lester, as highlighted by Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson after the hearing. Thompson emphasized, “Self-defense has its limitations.”
If convicted on the original first-degree assault charge, Lester could have faced a prison term of 15 to 30 years. The second-degree assault charge allows defendants to argue that "sudden passion" influenced their actions, which could lead to a lesser sentence.
Defense attorney J.R. Hobbs, who is not involved in this case, explained, “This may be viewed as a compromise, with the heat of passion being a significant motivator for the shooting.” He noted that while a felony conviction remains, the absence of a trial and potential appeals means the defendant risks less exposure overall.
The incident occurred on April 13, 2023, when Yarl mistakenly arrived at Lester’s residence while attempting to pick up his younger siblings. Lester’s attorney, Steve Salmon, has consistently asserted that his client was acting in self-defense, feeling threatened by an unexpected visitor as he settled down for the night. Reports indicate that Lester fired at Yarl twice—first hitting him in the head, and then in the arm.
This shocking incident sparked nationwide discussions regarding gun control and racial issues in America. During earlier testimony, Yarl described ringing the doorbell and waiting longer than expected for a response. As the inner door opened, he reached for the storm door, assuming he was encountering parents of his brothers’ friends.
Yarl recounted that after being shot in the head, Lester warned him, “Don’t come here ever again.” Although the bullet did not penetrate his brain, the blow caused Yarl to fall to the ground, where he was subsequently shot again in the arm. He was hospitalized for three days after the event.
The emotional trauma from the shooting deeply affected Yarl and his family, leading them to file a lawsuit against the retired aircraft mechanic.
Salmon stated previously that Lester’s physical and mental health had significantly declined, citing heart issues, a fractured hip, and recent hospitalizations. He also noted that stress from media attention and death threats had caused Lester to lose 50 pounds. During the recent court hearing, Lester confirmed that he was in poor health.
A prior court order required a mental evaluation of Lester, although the trial was allowed to proceed afterward, with the evaluation results remaining unpublished.
____
Contributions by Associated Press writer Kia Breaux in Kansas City, Missouri.
