Andrew Lester's mental health questioned as trial nears in teen's shooting in Kansas City Northland

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The attorney for Andrew Lester is asking for his client to be evaluated, saying there are signs of declining mental health in the man accused of the high-profile shooting of Ralph Yarl, according to court documents.

In the motion filed Tuesday, his attorney, Steven Salmon, described a man who has become frail due to declining physical health and unable to remember pertinent facts for his defense. Salmon wants the evaluation to determine whether Lester is fit to stand trial.

Lester, who is white, faces one count each of first-degree assault and armed criminal action in the shooting of Yarl, who is Black, after the teen mistakenly went to the wrong home to pick up his brothers in April 2023. After Yarl rang the doorbell, Lester allegedly went to the door and fired at Yarl, striking him twice with gunfire. Lester told police he feared for his safety when he saw Yarl, who at the time of the shooting was 16.

The shooting grabbed widespread attention and prompted a national outrage, with many raising outcry about the shooting being racially motivated.

Lester’s trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 7.

In the motion, Salmon contends that throughout the case, he has noticed a significant decline in Lester’s overall physical health and mental acuity.

Salmon said the “frailty” of the 85-year-old man’s health is due in part to a broken hip, heart issues and hospitalizations during the pending case.

Lester “has been subject to overwhelming media attention, as well as death threats and unwanted attention, making it difficult for him to interact socially with anyone,” Salmon said in the motion.

The motion also mentioned Lester’s wife has been separated from him and placed in a nursing home, resulting in him living alone.

Salmon said he believes this stress has resulted in Lester losing over 50 pounds.

Salmon contends he has noticed a marked reduction in Lester’s mental acuity, including remembering pertinent facts in the case that previously were not an issue. Lester also allegedly fails to maintain focus in discussions and trial preparations, turning that focus to other issues and the past.

Salmon said he has reason to believe that Lester cannot understand the proceedings against him or assist in his defense.

In the motion, Salmon asked that Lester be granted a mental health examination and subsequent report that has an opinion on whether he has a mental disease or defect and if so, if he can understand the proceedings against him or can assist in his defense.

Salmon asked for recommendations as to whether Lester should held in custody at a hospital for treatment while the court decides whether he is mentally fit to stand trial and during further proceedings if he is found to be mentally fit to proceed.