Kansas man who shot Black teen Ralph Yarl pleads not guilty

The trial for Andrew Lester, who shot the 16-year-old after he mistakenly rang his doorbell, has been scheduled for 2024

A white 84-year-old homeowner who is accused of shooting a Black teenager after the high schooler mistakenly came to his Kansas City home entered a not-guilty plea on Wednesday, and the judge scheduled his trial for next year.

Andrew Lester, a retired aircraft mechanic, is charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action in the 13 April shooting of Ralph Yarl. The trial in the case, which shocked the country and renewed national debates about gun policies and race in America, was scheduled to begin on 7 October 2024.