KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Clay County Prosecutor's Office announced that it filed two criminal charges against a suspect in the April 13 shooting of 16-year-old Ralph Yarl in Kansas City, Missouri.
Andrew Lester, an 85-year-old white man, was charged with one count of felony assault in the first degree and one count of armed criminal action, also a felony, Clay County prosecuting attorney Zachary Thompson said during a press conference Monday evening.
In his statement to police, Lester said he"had just laid down in bed when he heard the doorbell ring," according to the probable cause statement. The suspect told police"it was the last thing he wanted to do, but he was 'scared to death' due to the male's size," his own age, and his"inability to defend himself," the statement reads.
Attorney Lee Merritt, who represents the Yarl family along with attorney Ben Crump, told ABC News Live Prime anchor Linsey Davis in an interview Monday that the family is"relieved" that charges have been filed. "Ralph just got off the phone with the president of the United States today, who assured him that, you know, that he was and the rest of the nation was invested in justice for him," Merritt told ABC News.
"We understand how frustrating this has been," Thompson said."But I can assure you that the criminal justice system is working and will continue to work. As with any serious case, we approached this one in an objective and impartial manner."
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