Andrew Lester pleads not guilty in shooting of Ralph Yarl, who went to the wrong house

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A white homeowner pleaded not guilty Wednesday in the shooting of a Black teenager, Ralph Yarl, after Yarl mistakenly rang his doorbell in an attack that has put renewed focus on “stand your ground” laws around the country.

Andrew Lester, 84, appeared briefly before a circuit court judge in Clay County, Missouri, after surrendering to authorities on Tuesday on felony charges of assault in the first degree and armed criminal action. He was released on $200,000 bail later that day.