KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Court TV/Scripps News Kansas City) — The 84-year-old man accused of shooting 16-year-old Ralph Yarl maintained a not guilty plea in a hearing arraignment Wednesday.
Andrew Lester is set to stand trial on Oct. 7, 2024.
This booking photo provided by the Kansas City Police Department shows Andrew Lester on Thursday, April 13, 2023. (Kansas City Police Department via AP)
During the arraignment, the defense waived the reading of the charges.
On April 13, Yarl was attempting to pick up his younger siblings from a home, but arrived to the wrong address in error.
The teenager was shot and transported to an area hospital in life-threatening condition. Three days later, Yarl was released from the hospital.
The case garnered national attention, with celebrities and activists calling for action.
Lester, a white man, was charged with armed criminal action and first-degree assault charges in the shooting of the Black teenager. The 84-year-old was taken into custody before subsequently posting bond.
The 84-year-old previously plead not guilty on April 19.
On Aug. 31, a Clay County judge ruled that Lester will stand trial. Yarl testified in the preliminary hearing.
This story was originally published by Scripps News Kansas City, an E.W. Scripps Company.
