Homeowner Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Black Teenager at Wrong Doorbell
Andrew Lester, an 86-year-old Kansas City man, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in the shooting of Ralph Yarl, a Black teenager who mistakenly rang his doorbell. This plea deal avoids a trial on more serious charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action, resulting in a significantly reduced potential sentence of up to seven years. The plea acknowledges Lester’s actions but incorporates the concept of “sudden passion,” suggesting a mitigating factor in the shooting. The shooting, which occurred in April 2023, sparked national outrage and reignited discussions about gun laws and race in America.
John Q. Hosedrinker