Elderly Man Pleads Guilty in Shooting of Black Teenager Ralph Yarl

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Andrew Lester, an 86-year-old man, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault on Friday after shooting 16-year-old Ralph Yarl in April 2023 when Yarl mistakenly rang his doorbell in Kansas City, Missouri. Lester's plea deal carries a potential sentence of one to seven years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for March 7, 2025, according to Clay County Prosecutors.

Yarl was shot in the head and arm, and his family expressed frustration with the plea deal, arguing that it fails to adequately address the trauma they have endured and systemic injustices related to racial bias. "True justice requires consequences that reflect the severity of his actions," the family stated. Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson acknowledged the family's frustration but said the plea ensures accountability for Lester and provides closure for Yarl.

Yarl, now 18, is a college freshman at Texas A&M University and has shared the ongoing emotional impact of the shooting on his life. He described his journey since the incident as "bumpy," filled with mixed emotions.

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