The trial for Andrew Lester, the Kansas City man charged in the shooting of Ralph Yarl after the teenager mistakenly went to the wrong house, was delayed indefinitely on Monday after a judge ordered a mental evaluation for the 85-year-old to determine if he is fit to stand trial.
Lester appeared in court Monday morning for a preliminary hearing ahead of the trial, which was set to begin on Oct. 7. ABC News reached out to Lester’s attorney, Steven Salmon, for additional comment. The next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 8.
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 April 2023 shooting of Ralph Yarl, a Black teenager who mistakenly went to Lester’s home after arriving at the wrong address to pick up his twin brothers from a play date. Lester has pleaded not guilty.
Yarl was shot in the head and in the right arm on the evening of April 13, 2023, by Lester – a homeowner in Kansas City, Missouri, according to police. The teenager suffered a traumatic brain injury, his family previously told ABC News.
Ralph Yarl is shown smiling for a photo.
Courtesy of Ralph Yarl’s Family
The delay in this case comes after 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.
The motion, which was reviewed by ABC News, argued that Lester is facing health conditions that could impair his ability to understand legal proceedings or assist in his defense. According to court documents, 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,” he added.
Salmon also said that Lester, who pleaded not guilty in April 2023 and was released on a $200,000 bond, 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
ABC News
Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson responded to the motion requesting a mental health evaluation in a filing on Aug. 28, saying, “the State respectfully moves this Court to make a determination regarding whether reasonable cause exists to believe that the accused lacks mental fitness to proceed prior to deciding whether to order a mental evaluation.”
ABC News has reached out to the Yarl family for comment.
The trial was initially set after a Clay County judge ruled during a preliminary hearing in August 2023 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.
Andrew Lester, the suspect in the shooting of Ralph Yarl, has been ordered by a judge to undergo a mental health evaluation. The decision comes after Lester’s attorney raised concerns about his mental state and ability to stand trial.
The shooting of Ralph Yarl, a well-known community activist, shocked the local community and left many wondering about the motives behind the attack. Lester, who was arrested shortly after the shooting, has been charged with attempted murder and is currently being held in custody.
During a recent court hearing, Lester’s attorney argued that his client may not be mentally competent to stand trial. The judge agreed to order a mental health evaluation to determine Lester’s mental state and whether he is fit to proceed with the legal proceedings.
Mental health evaluations are often ordered in criminal cases where there are concerns about the defendant’s mental state. These evaluations can help determine if the defendant is able to understand the charges against them, assist in their own defense, and comprehend the consequences of their actions.
In cases where a defendant is found to be mentally incompetent, they may be referred for treatment to restore their competency before proceeding with the trial. This can involve therapy, medication, or other interventions to address any mental health issues that may be impacting their ability to participate in the legal process.
The outcome of Lester’s mental health evaluation could have significant implications for his case. If he is found to be mentally incompetent, it could delay the legal proceedings while he receives treatment. On the other hand, if he is deemed competent to stand trial, the case will move forward as planned.
Regardless of the outcome, the mental health evaluation will provide valuable information about Lester’s mental state and help ensure that he receives appropriate care and support throughout the legal process. It is an important step in ensuring that justice is served in this troubling case.
