KC Northland Shooting Suspect Fights For Presumption Of Innocence

Andrew Lester was pretty much convicted in the media in April of 2023. Student protesters alleged racism, thousands of GoFundMe donors gave freely in order to fight alleged racism and national news lamented ALLEGED racial motives.

However . . .

In a Northland courtroom we think this argument about terminology is worth considering . . .

SUSPECT SHOOTER'S TEAM PETITIONS COURT TO STOP USING TERMS LIKE "VICTIM" TO DESCRIBE THE TARGET OF GUNFIRE!!!

Now . . .

In the court of public opinion, arguing the Castle Doctrine or "Stand Your Ground" laws only sparks endless debate. There's also a few people who MISTAKENLY believe that giggling a door handle is justified cause for gunfire . . . Hint: It's not. 

However . . .

There's a legit debate about the term "victim" that will likely influence the court.

Here are the basics and more info . . .

In a motion filed Dec. 13, Lester’s attorney Steven B. Salmon asked a Clay County judge to stop referring to Yarl as “the Victim” throughout the trial.

Lester’s attorney argued the case, which is set for trial on Feb. 18, 2025, features an “inappropriate” use of the word victim to describe Yarl.

“It violates the accused’s presumption of innocence,” Salmon argued. “By referring to a complaining witness as the ‘victim,’ the prosecution and the court by its tacit approval has told the jury that a crime was committed or that this person has been cheated, lied to or injured.”

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

Andrew Lester's attorney motions to prevent Ralph Yarl from being labeled 'victim'

Attorneys for Andrew Lester, the man accused of shooting Kansas City teen Ralph Yarl after he tried picking up his siblings at the wrong address, are arguing Yarl shouldn't be called a victim in court.