LIBERTY, Mo. — Andrew Lester, the man charged with shooting teen Ralph Yarl in April 2023, pleaded guilty Friday to felony assault.
The guilty plea comes just days before Lester’s criminal trial was set to begin. Friday's hearing was announced on Thursday.
Sentencing is set for 10 a.m. on March 7. Lester could face up to seven years in prison.
Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson said in a statement after the hearing that his office will request the judge sentence Lester to five years in prison.
Yarl and members of his family were among those in attendance at Friday’s change-of-plea hearing.
In exchange for Lester pleading guilty to second-degree felony assault, Thompson agreed to drop an armed criminal action charge against Lester and changed the felony assault from the original first-degree assault to second-degree assault.
"We recognize the trauma caused to Mr. Yarl, his family, and the community due to the tragic incident that occurred on April 13, 2023," Thompson said. "This outcome ensures accountability for the defendant, provides closure to Mr. Yarl, and satisfies the need to achieve a just result in the case. It allows our citizens to move forward knowing that the court system in Clay County, Missouri yields just results for victims and defendants."
Mayor Quinton Lucas issued a statement after the verdict:
"The shooting of Ralph Yarl, an unarmed Black teen, was a tragic and unacceptable act of violence. While we are grateful he survived, the trauma and harm inflicted on him, his loved ones, and our community will not be soon forgotten. Although today’s guilty plea is a step toward accountability, there is still more work to be done to build a safer Kansas City.
Every person in our city deserves to feel safe – regardless of race or background. Violence has no place in our city. Public safety is a top priority, and my administration remains committed to strengthening policies that promote safety, accountability, and justice for everyone. We will not stop working toward a city where all human life is valued and protected."
KSHB 41 News received the following statement from Yarl's family:
"Today, Andrew Lester pleaded guilty to a Class D felony, acknowledging his actions. While this marks a step toward accountability, true justice requires consequences that reflect the severity of his actions—anything less would be a failure to recognize the harm he has caused. We urge all parties working on this case to conscious of all aspects involved. We remain hopeful that his sentencing will not be merely a slap on the wrist but a decision that upholds the seriousness of his crime.
We are grateful to those who stood with us, saw Ralph’s humanity, and rejected a world where fear and prejudice endanger innocent lives. This case has never been just about Ralph—it is about every child’s right to exist without being seen as a threat. This is about the not normalizing a world where our children are forced into adulthood due to everyday gun violence in our schools and communities. The joys and innocent childhood is soon becoming an illusion.
Lester’s plea does not erase Ralph’s trauma or the deeper injustices that made this tragedy possible. The fight against systemic failures and racial bias must continue. We call on our communities, leaders, and justice system to turn this moment into lasting change—ensuring that no child’s life is devalued because of the color of their skin.
We trust God with this and seek His wisdom as we speak out and demand a better America for all children.
Ralph’s story is not over. This guilty plea must serve as more than a mere acknowledgment—it must be a turning point in the pursuit of real justice."
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