Ralph Yarl

It's been almost two months since teenager Ralph Yarl was shot in Kansas City's Northland when he accidentally arrived at the wrong house. The case sparked nationwide outrage and attention. But Yarl's family is frustrated with how a Clay County judge is handling the criminal case against accused shooter Andrew Lester.

Yarl, who was shot in early April, is recovering from his physical injuries. His mother says his mental recovery has been tough.

Yarl’s family has little confidence in Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson, who they say failed to act aggressively from the beginning. “The whole world is watching Kansas City to see if there’s going to be accountability and justice for this teenage kid who merely rang the doorbell.”

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.

The attorney for Andrew D. Lester says the 84-year-old has been threatened, harassed and called a racist since the Black teen's shooting made national headlines, and is asking the case be sealed so Lester can have a fair trial.

The trauma of Ralph Yarl — who was shot twice by a Northland homeowner after he mistakenly rang the doorbell to the wrong house — is just the latest reminder to the Liberian families living in the Kansas City region that American racism remains a threat.

A local defense attorney said it's possible Lester's defense team will say Andrew Lester, the 84-year-old who shot 16-year-old Ralph Yarl on his doorstep, had a right to use deadly force to protect his property. That's because of the 'castle doctrine.'

After the shooting of 16-year-old Ralph Yarl, and with hundreds of thousands of people coming to town for the NFL Draft this week, Kansas City is at the center of attention right now — for better and for worse. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas talks about the specifics of the Yarl case and his concerns with Missouri's "guns everywhere" approach to safety.

Ralph Yarl, a Black teenager living in Kansas City's Northland, was shot twice after accidentally ringing the doorbell of the wrong home. 84-year-old named Andrew Lester is charged with two felonies in the shooting. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas joined KCUR's Up To Date to talk about the specifics of the case.

As the 16-year-old recovers at home and the alleged shooter, Andrew D. Lester, awaits trial after pleading not guilty to two felony charges, a diverse group of residents showed up this week to protests. The case has reignited anger about race, guns and policing.

The shooting of 16-year-old Ralph Yarl in Kansas City has put more attention on Missouri’s self-defense laws, known as the "castle doctrine" and "Stand Your Ground." But will they help the shooter escape a conviction in this case? Plus: Lawmakers in some states — including Missouri — are considering legislation to require automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, in schools.

Following national uproar over the shooting of 16-year-old Ralph Yarl, protesters are showing up in Kansas City's Northland, the federal courthouse and KCPD headquarters. Here's what you need to know when you're organizing or attending a protest in Kansas City.