Andrew Lester, the man charged in the April 2023 shooting of Ralph Yarl after the teenager mistakenly went to the wrong house, got a new trial date on Tuesday, pending the outcome of a mental health evaluation, ABC’s Kansas City affiliate KMBC reported.
A Clay County judge rescheduled Lester’s trial, which was initially set for Oct. 7, to begin on Feb. 18, 2025, according to KMBC.
Prior to Tuesday’s hearing, Lester’s trial had been delayed indefinitely after the judge ordered on Sept. 9 that Lester undergo a mental health check to determine if he is fit to stand trial in response to a motion filed by Lester’s attorney Steven Salmon.
Salmon filed a motion in the Clay County Circuit Court on Aug. 27, requesting a mental evaluation to determine if Lester is fit to stand trial, according to court documents obtained by ABC News, where he claimed that Lester is facing health conditions that could impair his ability to understand legal proceedings or assist in his defense at trial.
The judge said on Tuesday that Lester’s mental evaluation must be complete by Nov. 9 and his next hearing was set for Nov. 26, according to KMBC.
ABC News reached out to Lester’s attorney but a request for comment was not immediately returned.
Yarl’s mother, Cleo Nagbe, told ABC News on Tuesday that the family is “grateful that someone in the justice system is human and professional enough to put a date on these never-ending delays.”
“Every time the trial is postponed, that’s delaying closure and healing for us as a family and especially Ralph.”
Lester, a white man, was charged with one count of felony assault in the first-degree and one count of armed criminal action, also a felony, in the shooting of Yarl, a Black teenager who mistakenly went to Lester’s Kansas City home after arriving at the wrong address to pick up his twin brothers from a play date. Lester pleaded not guilty in April 2023 and was released on a $200,000 bond.
Booking photo provided by the Clay County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office of Andrew Lester.
Clay County Sheriff’s Office via AP, File
Yarl was shot in the head and in the right arm on the evening of April 13, 2023, by Lester, according to police. The 18-year-old suffered a traumatic brain injury, his family previously told ABC News.
Ralph Yarl
ABC News
According to court documents, Salmon said in the motion that Lester has lost more than 50 pounds, experienced issues with his memory and has exhibited confusion surrounding the details of the case.
“Over the course of this case, Counsel has noticed a significant decline in Defendant’s overall physical health, as well as his mental acuity,” Salmon said in the motion. “The frailty of Defendant’s physical health has, in part, been because of a broken hip, heart issues and hospitalization he has suffered during the pendency of this matter.”
Salmon also noted that Lester has faced “stress” due to “overwhelming media attention, as well as death threats and other unwanted attention, making it difficult for him to interact socially with anyone.”
Ralph Yarl, a Black 16-year-old who was shot and wounded by a homeowner after mistakenly going to the wrong house to pick up his siblings, holds a bass clarinet in this picture obtained from social media.
Lee Merritt via Reuters
The trial was initially set after a Clay County judge ruled during an August 2023 preliminary hearing that there was enough probable cause that a felony has been committed.
“The binding over of a defendant from a preliminary hearing is fairly normal. The prosecutor simply needs to provide probable cause to bind the case over,” Salmon told ABC News after the August 2023 ruling.
The trial date for the suspect accused of shooting Ralph Yarl has been rescheduled pending a mental health evaluation. The shooting, which took place last month, shocked the community and left many wondering about the motives behind the violent act.
The suspect, whose name has not been released to the public, was initially scheduled to stand trial next week. However, his defense attorney requested a postponement in order to have a mental health evaluation conducted. The judge granted the request, citing the importance of ensuring that the suspect is mentally competent to stand trial.
The shooting of Ralph Yarl has had a profound impact on the community. Yarl, a well-known and respected member of the community, was shot multiple times in what appeared to be a targeted attack. The suspect was apprehended shortly after the shooting and has been in custody ever since.
Many in the community have been following the case closely, eager to see justice served for Yarl and his family. The rescheduling of the trial date has caused some frustration among those who were hoping for a swift resolution to the case. However, mental health evaluations are an important part of the legal process, ensuring that defendants are able to participate fully in their own defense.
The suspect’s mental health evaluation will be conducted by a team of experts who will assess his mental state at the time of the shooting and determine whether he is fit to stand trial. This evaluation could have a significant impact on the outcome of the case, as it may provide insight into the suspect’s motives and intentions.
In the meantime, the community continues to mourn the senseless violence that took place last month. Ralph Yarl’s family and friends have expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support they have received from the community, and they remain hopeful that justice will be served in due time.
As the trial date is rescheduled pending the mental health evaluation, many in the community are left waiting anxiously for answers. The outcome of the evaluation could shed light on the events leading up to the shooting and provide closure for those affected by this tragic incident. Until then, the community remains united in their support for Ralph Yarl and his loved ones as they navigate this difficult time.
