Kansas City Teen Shooting Case Sealed Amid Activist Threats

An old man was very unlikely to get a fair trial with local & national media breathing down his neck. 

TKC real talk . . .

In THE BIG PICTURE, none of this matters very much given that even if he was convicted and earned life in prison . . . That might only mean a few months given his rapidly declining health. 

More importantly . . .

SOCIAL MEDIA OUTCRY BACKFIRED AS THE RUSH TO JUDGEMENT AND TRIAL IN THE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION THREATENED REAL LEGAL PROCEEDINGS & SPARKED EVEN MORE DANGER OF VIGILANTISM!!!

Here's an important passage and more reporting . . .

"In Tuesday’s order, the judge stated media coverage of the case decreased Lester’s ability to receive a fail trial. That includes a story on Inside Edition about claims that Lester abused his ex-wife even though the two have been divorced for more than 50 years.

"The high-profile case also grabbed the attention of Hollywood stars and political leaders, which also increased interest in the case.

"Lester’s attorney argued that statements about “getting justice” in the shooting made by Gwyneth Paltrow, Halle Berry, Chrissy Teigen, Kim Kardashian, and Viola Davis speculate that Lester is guilty of a crime before his trial.

"Court documents show statements by President Biden, who called for “justice” in the shooting, and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, who said “If stand your ground really lets somebody just shoot somebody that rings a doorbell, that puts the life of every postal worker, every campaigner, every Amazon delivery person at risk in this country,” may impede Lester’s right to a fair trial."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Judge grants order to partially seal Ralph Yarl shooting case

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Clay County judge partially sealed the criminal case against a Northland man accused of shooting a Black teenager. The judge granted the motion filed by the attorney representing 84-year-old Andrew Lester earlier this month.

Judge seals records in the case of the Kansas City man charged with shooting Ralph Yarl

The Clay County Judge ruled that the case against Andrew Lester, the 84-year-old white man who shot 17-year-old Ralph Yarl, be sealed so that he receives a fair and impartial trial. Judge Louis Angles cited the harassment, media coverage and threats Andrew Lester has faced.

'Life, physical safety in jeopardy': Judge rules to partially seal Andrew Lester case in shooting of Ralph Yarl

A Clay County, Missouri, judge has ruled information in the first-degree assault case against a man who reportedly shot a teen who knocked on his door by mistake will be sealed to the public. A judge ruled Wednesday on a protective order filed by attorneys for 84-year-old Andrew Lester, the man accused of shooting 16-year-old Ralph Yarl.

'I'm concerned about the secrecy': Father of Ralph Yarl reacts to news of Clay County court sealing case

KANSAS CITY, MO - Paul Yarl, father of 17-year-old Ralph Yarl, says he is grateful his son is alive and recovering, but what happened to him in March is still hard to process as a parent. "I can't imagine losing my son, just the thought scares me like wow, this almost happened," said the senior Yarl.

KCK attorney discusses Clay County judge's decision to partially seal Andrew Lester's case

The case file for Andrew Lester, the man accused of shooting Kansas City teen Ralph Yarl after he went to the wrong house, will have part of his case file sealed from the public. James Spies, an attorney in KCK, has worked as both a prosecutor and now a criminal defense attorney.

Developing . . .