The trial of Andrew Lester, a white Kansas City man charged in the April 2023 shooting of Black teen Ralph Yarl, is set to begin in February.
Clay County Circuit Court Judge David Chamberlain confirmed the date on Tuesday, after he reviewed the results of Lester’s mental health evaluation and concluded he was fit to stand trial, the Kansas City Star reported.
Chamberlain ordered the assessment in September at the request of defense attorney Steve Salmon, who argued the health of 86-year-old Lester had deteriorated to the point where he could not fully understand the legal proceedings. He specifically cited his client’s weight loss, memory issues and his ongoing state of confusion, KMBC reported.
A judge previously pushed Lester’s original trial date, initially scheduled to begin Oct. 7, pending the evaluation’s outcome. The results of the test, which was carried out by Missouri’s Department of Mental Health, were not made public, and no further details were provided.
Lester is facing one count of felony assault in the first degree and one count of armed criminal action in the shooting of Yarl, who was 16 at the time. Yarl had been trying to pick up his twin brothers from a friend’s house that night, but he confused the address, arriving at Lester’s residence on NE 115th Street, instead of his intended destination on NE 115th Terrace.
Yarl, an honor student and member of the all-state band at the time, previously testified that he rang the doorbell, and then waited until Lester appeared in the doorway. He then moved to enter the home, he said, adding he was under the impression the homeowner was the parent of his brothers’ friend.
The teen said that’s when Lester fired off several rounds at point blank range, striking him in the head and in the right arm.
Now 18, Yarl survived the shooting but suffered a traumatic brain injury that could result in long-term issues.
Lester, who claimed he was acting self defense, pleaded not guilty in late April and was later released on a $200,000 bond.
With News Wire Services
