An 86-year-old Missouri man passed away shortly after pleading guilty to a lesser charge in the 2023 shooting of a Black honor student who mistakenly rang his doorbell, prosecutors revealed on Wednesday. The man, identified as Andrew Lester of Kansas City, had been facing charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action in the shooting of the then-16-year-old student, who survived the incident and is now a freshman at Texas A&M University.
Before his trial was set to commence, Lester opted to plead guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree assault, which carries a potential sentence of up to seven years in prison. His sentencing was scheduled for March 7, but his attorney informed the Clay County prosecutor's office of his passing.
The cause of Lester's death was not disclosed in the news release. Authorities confirmed that no death investigation was being conducted, and the Clay County sheriff's office mentioned that Lester, who was not in custody, was in poor health during his plea hearing the previous week.
The victim's family expressed their disappointment in a statement, emphasizing the impact of the delay in the legal proceedings. The incident, which occurred in April 2023, sparked a national conversation on gun policies and racial issues in the United States.
The shooting took place when the student mistakenly arrived at Lester's residence while looking for his siblings' friends. Lester's defense attorney argued that his client acted in self-defense, claiming he felt threatened by the stranger at his door late at night. The student testified that he was shot in the head and arm by Lester after ringing the doorbell and waiting for a response.
Yarl, the victim, was hospitalized but discharged three days later. The family of the student filed a lawsuit against Lester, a retired aircraft mechanic, citing emotional distress caused by the incident.
Lester's attorney had previously mentioned his declining physical and mental health, attributing it to the stress from media attention and death threats following the shooting. During the plea hearing, Lester appeared frail and confirmed his poor health status when questioned by the judge.
While the results of a mental evaluation ordered for Lester were not made public, his grandson did not provide immediate comment following his passing.
