Sept. 20 (UPI) -- A Kansas City, Mo., man accused of shooting a teenager who rang his doorbell pleaded not guilty to first degree felony assault charges Wednesday.
On April 13, 16-year-old Ralph Yarl, rang Lester's doorbell, mistakenly believing he was at another residence to pick up his siblings. When Lester saw Yarl at his door he shot him twice, once in the arm and once in the head, resulting in a traumatic brain injury.
In August, Judge Louis Angels determined that there was probable cause for Andrew Lester, 84, to stand trial.
After shooting Yarl, Lester called 911 and reportedly told the dispatcher "he was at my door trying to get in, and I shot him."
Prosecutor Zachary Thompson said there was a racial motivation behind the shooting as Lester is White and Yarl is Black.
Lester has not been charged with a hate crime despite the prosecutor's assertion because the felony charges he already faces are more severe.
In April, Lester was released on $200,000 bond.
ABC reported that the probable cause statement related to Lester's trial stated that Lester "saw a Black male approximately 6 feet tall pulling on the exterior storm door handle. He stated he believed someone was attempting to break into his house and shot twice within a few seconds of opening the door."
At Wednesday's hearing, the trial date was set for Oct. 7, 2024.
