Page 2 - Peter Joy News Today

The shootings of four young people after simple, everyday mistakes have shone a spotlight on the proliferation of 'stand your ground' laws in the U.S.

As Ralph Yarl struggled to come to grips with being shot after going to the wrong house to pick up his younger brothers, the white Kansas City, Missouri, homeowner who shot the Black teenager turned himself in and was released on bond Tuesday.

Stand your ground laws have proliferated in the years since the shooting of Trayvon Martin, the Black teenager killed in 2012. Research shows the laws have led to an increase in firearm homicides.

Ralph Yarl was shot at point-blank range in the head by a white homeowner but miraculously survived the bullet to his skull, the attorney for the family of the Black teenager said.

Andrew Lester, who is White, is charged with first-degree assault. Prosecutors say that carries a tougher possible sentence — life in prison — than a hate crime would.

As 16-year-old Ralph Yarl struggled to come to grips with being shot for going to the wrong house to pick up his younger brothers, the white Kansas City, Missouri, homeowner who shot the Black teenager turned himself in on Tuesday.

Stand your ground laws have proliferated in the years since the shooting of Trayvon Martin, the Black teenager killed in 2012. Research shows the laws have led to an increase in firearm homicides.

The attorney for Ralph Yarl's family says the Black teenager who was shot in head by a white homeowner at point-blank range miraculously survived the bullet to his skull.

Andrew Lester was in court to answer charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action in the shooting, which has attracted presidential attention and renewed national debate about gun policies

Andrew Lester, the 84-year-old white man accused of shooting Ralph Yarl, a Black teenager, pleaded not guilty in his first court appearance Wednesday.