Andrew Lester dies while awaiting sentencing for second-degree assault conviction

KCTV5 ^ | Feb. 19, 2025 at 2:22 PM CST | Zoë Shriner

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - On Wednesday, the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office announced the passing of a man recently convicted of second-degree assault.

According to a statement from the prosecutor’s office, 86-year-old Andrew Lester pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree assault on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on April 13, 2023, when the Kansas City Police Department found then-16-year-old Ralph Yarl at Lester’s address with two gunshot wounds, one to his arm and one to his head.

Through the course of an investigation, it was found that Yarl had been at the home because he believed it belonged to the friends of his younger twin brothers. The correct address was actually a block over. (more at link)

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

The prosecutor’s office relayed to KCTV5 that it did not know the cause of Andrew Lester's death, but did add that Lester was not in custody when he died.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Last year an Elderly man in the Kansas City area shot a young black man twice through his front door. The young man came to his door by mistake. I suspect that dementia was involved in some way although he was ruled competent to stand trial. He plead guilty to 2nd degree assault last Friday and was awaiting sentencing. Will update if additional information becomes available.

[Dr. Sivana]

He’s 86, but everything but his hair looked 96. He could have just died of being worn out. Sad and tragic situation.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

No, there is no winner here. The young man appears to have recovered and is doing well.

Andrew Lester dies while awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty in shooting of teen Ralph Yarl

Snip...."Lester, who is white, shot Yarl in the head and right arm, saying he believed someone was trying to break into his house, according to a probable cause statement obtained by ABC News. He initially pleaded not guilty in 2023 and was released on a $200,000 bond.

Yarl was 16 at the time of the shooting and suffered a traumatic brain injury, according to his family." snip.....

Lester’s attorney, Steve Salmon, previously argued that his client's mental and physical capacity was a factor in the case, postponing the initial trial date from Oct. 7, 2024 to Feb. 18, 2025. Salmon said the retired air mechanic had heart and memory issues, a broken hip and had lost over 50 pounds.

In November, the judge ruled that Lester was fit to stand trial after reviewing the results of a mental exam.

Yarl opened up about the shooting in an exclusive interview with "Good Morning America" co-anchor Robin Roberts in July 2023, where he reflected on his recovery and the harrowing experience.

"He points [the gun] at me … so I kinda, like, brace and I turn my head," Yarl told Roberts. "Then it happened. And then I'm on the ground ... and then I fall on the glass. The shattered glass. And then before I know it I'm running away shouting, 'Help me, help me.'"

[princess leah]

So, we save 2 ways! No more social security payments AND our tax dollars aren’t wasted on supporting this loser in jail!