White Man in Kansas City Who Shot Ralph Yarl Pleads Not Guilty

The 84-year-old White man who shot and seriously injured unarmed Black teenager Ralph Yarl in April when he mistakenly rang his doorbell in Kansas City, Mo., pleaded not guilty Wednesday (Sept. 20), the Associated Press reports. Andrew Lester was charged with first-degree assault, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, and armed criminal action, which has a sentence of up to 15 years. His trial was scheduled to begin on Oct. 7, 2024. Lester’s attorney, Steve Salmon, argued at the hearing that the retired aircraft mechanic was defending...