A Missouri man has died weeks before his sentencing for shooting a 16-year-old boy who accidentally went to the wrong address.
Andrew Lester, 86, pleaded guilty last week to second-degree assault after opening fire on Ralph Yarl in Kansas City in April 2023.
The Clay County prosecutor’s office said in a statement on Wednesday: “We have learned of the passing of Andrew Lester and extend our sincere condolences to his family during this difficult time.”
Mr Yarl rang Lester’s doorbell while going to pick up his younger brothers. Prosecutors say Lester shot the teen without speaking to him. The boy survived. Lester had been scheduled for sentencing on 7 March.
The prosecutor’s statement added: “While the legal proceedings have now concluded, we acknowledge that Mr Lester did take responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty in this case.
“Our thoughts remain with both families affected by this tragic incident as they continue their healing process.”
But in a statement to the Kansas City Star, the Yarl family expressed frustration.
“The man responsible escaped sentencing” and that “justice was never truly served,” the statement said, according to the newspaper.
They added: “One of the reasons we pushed for a speedy trial was to ensure the public would see that our society does not condone shooting an unarmed, innocent child simply for ringing the wrong doorbell – especially when that child was targeted because of the color of his skin.”
Police initially said there was a “racial component” to the shooting, but authorities ultimately did not charge Lester with a hate crime.
#Andrew #Lester #dies #awaiting #sentencing #shooting #teen #Ralph #Yarl
Source link