KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Scripps News Kansas City) — The man accused of shooting a 17-year-old boy twice at his Northland home in April appeared in Clay County court Thursday.
Andrew Lester’s April 18, 2023 mug shot. (Photo by: Clay County Sheriff’s Office)
Andrew Lester, 84, is charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action in the shooting of Ralph Yarl.
On April 13, Yarl mistakenly went to Lester’s home to pick up his two siblings. Lester later shot Yarl in the head and arm after he rang the doorbell.
Yarl’s family was in attendance on Thursday and wore t-shirts with the customized message “ringing a doorbell is not a crime.”
During the court appearance, a judge set an Aug. 31 date for Lester’s preliminary hearing.
Members of Ralph Yarl’s family attended Lester’s hearing wearing t-shirts that said, ‘ringing a doorbell is ot a crime.’ (Bryant Maddrick/KSHB)
The court appearance came just two days after a judge sealed the details of Lester’s case citing the national media coverage of the case.
This story was originally published on June 1, 2023, by KSHB in Kansas City, an E.W. Scripps Company.
