The Kansas City man accused of shooting a teenager who came to the wrong house was due in court Thursday for what was expected to be a brief hearing to schedule future trial dates.
A judge ruled this week that court documents in the first-degree assault case against 84-year-old Andrew Lester will be sealed from the public. He’s pleaded not guilty in the shooting of Black teen Ralph Yarl, who came to his NE 115th Street door on April 13, mistakenly believing that was the address where the boy’s sister was to be picked up from a sleepover. The house Yarl was looking for at NE 115th Terrace was a block away.
Lester posted 10% of his $200,000 bond and was set free to await trial. He claimed he was “scared to death” when he shot through his door at Yarl on his porch.
The honor student and all-state band member, who turned 17 last month, is recovering at home from gunshot wounds to his head and wrist.
A Clay County judge agreed to seal documents tied to the case after the defendant’s attorney claimed vandalism and threats made against his client forced Lester to move from his home three times. He allegedly received threats calling him a “murderer” after his cell phone number was posted online.
The judge also worried media coverage indicating the shooting was “racially motivated” could influence potential jurors or witnesses.
Lester’s grandson Klint Ludwig told CNN he believes his grandfather has racist tendencies and espouses right-wing conspiracy rhetoric. Clay County attorney Zachary Thompson said “there was a racial component” to the shooting.
Yarl attended a brain injury awareness event in a Kansas City park Monday, but did not speak with media outlets. His family said the shooting left the teen with emotional and physical discomfort.
Yarl’s recovery is being aided by his mother and his aunt, who are both healthcare workers.
An attorney for the victim told media outlet The Grio that President Joe Biden invited Yarl and his family to the White House during an April phone call.