Global Courant 2023-04-20 18:26:06
A lawyer representing the 16-year-old Kansas City teen, who police say was shot in the head last week when he went to the wrong house to pick up his siblings, has posted the first photo of the young man after his discharge from the hospital. “a real miracle” his injuries were not worse.
The photo of Ralph Yarl posted to Twitter by Lee Merritt comes as Andrew Lester, the 84-year-old charged with one count of armed assault and one count of armed criminal action in connection with the April 13 shooting, pleaded not guilty in a courtroom appearance Wednesday.
“Ralph Yarl is home and recovering! How the bullet to his head did not cause greater damage is truly a miracle,” Meritt wrote alongside the photo. “God be the glory!”
Yarl was released from a hospital on Sunday and is recovering from gunshot wounds to the head and arm. He had gone to the wrong house to pick up his siblings when he was shot through a glass door after ringing the doorbell, police said.
THE KANSAS CITY HOMEOWNER HAS A FUN AFTER RALPH YARL SHOOTING
Ralph Yarl sits next to attorney Lee Merritt after his release from a hospital. (Lee Merritt/Twitter)
Some civil rights leaders and Merritt have urged the Justice Department to investigate the shooting and prosecutors to charge Lester with a hate crime, with Merritt noting that Yarl was “armed only with his black skin”.
But Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson said first-degree assault is a higher-level crime, carrying a prison sentence of up to life, which is more than a hate crime charge would carry.
Lester told police he had just gone to bed when he heard the doorbell ring, so he grabbed his revolver and went to the front door, where he saw Yarl pulling on the outside storm door, according to probable cause.
Lester, who lives alone, told officers he was “terrified” and was fired twice. Yarl disputes that he pulled the storm door handle, saying he was shot in the arm after falling to the ground. He picked himself up and ran off as Lester yelled, “Don’t come over here,” the statement said.
Merritt said Yarl’s relatives did not attend Lester’s trial on Wednesday because they were emotionally exhausted, according to The Associated Press.
Students at Staley High School, where Yarl attends, held a “Unity Walk” this week to support him. (WDAF)
RALPH YARL’S CLASSMAKER HOLD ‘UNITY WALK’ IN SHOWS OF SUPPORT AFTER KANSAS CITY SHOOTING
He added that Yarl is “completely humbled” by the support he has received following the shooting.
Lester is free Thursday after posting 10% of his $200,000 bail and has agreed to give up all guns, have his cell phone checked and have no contact with the 16-year-old’s family, The Associated also reported Press.
Lester had turned himself in to the police on Tuesday.
President Biden said the same day he had the opportunity to call Yarl and his family.
Andrew Lester will appear in court on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 in Liberty, Missouri, to answer charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action.
(KMBC/AP)
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“No parent should worry about their child being shot after ringing the wrong door. We must continue the fight against gun violence,” Biden tweeted.
“And Ralph, we’ll see you at the Oval as soon as you feel better,” the president also said.
Louis Casiano, Paul Best and The Associated Press of Fox News contributed to this report.
Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.
