Mary Clayton, the ex-wife of Andrew Lester has spoken out about his alleged violent behaviour during their 14-year marriage. Andrew has been charged with shooting 16-year-old Ralph Yarl. Clayton said that Lester was prone to violence during their marriage. She stated that she was always scared of him.
She said that one of her daughters called her in California in shock at the shooting. Further claiming that she had not spoken to Lester in decades and didn’t even recognize him when he appeared in the news.
Clayton had three children with Lester and said that he had a tendency to erupt in anger. He would smash items in their home during his fits of fury. She added that cops told her he could do whatever he wanted in his own home. This had made her even more fearful of him. She revealed that she was always scared of him. It was therefore not surprising to her what happened.
On Wednesday, April 19, Lester pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action. All of which are felonies that carry 10 to 30 years of life in prison.
Klint Ludwig, 28, \grandson of the suspect, expressed his support for Yarl and his family. He stated that he was horrified by the shooting and that it was inexcusable and wrong. He further said that he stands with Ralph and really wants his family to achieve justice for what happened to them. Ludwig lives in the Kansas City area and said that he felt terribly for Yarl. He was relieved that he survived and is recovering from his injuries.
Ludwig also criticized the police and Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson for the way they handled the initial investigation. He further criticized them for not charging his grandfather immediately. Also,e said that the only reason why Lester is now receiving charges and an investigation is being held was because of community outreach to bring attention to this. He also praised the community for their solidarity and for coming together to support Yarl and his family during this difficult time.
When asked if he considers his grandfather, Lester, to be racist, Ludwig said that he believes that there have been some positions that he’s held that have been bigoted or sort of disparaging. He attributed Lester’s views to his staunch conservative views. They are characterized by strong opposition to abortion and support for traditional family structures.
Ludwig believes that his grandfather’s conservative views may have contributed to his violent behaviour.
This highlights the importance of addressing issues of domestic violence and the harmful effects of toxic masculinity in conservative communities.
The shooting has sparked a conversation about domestic violence and gun violence in America. Many people are calling for stricter gun control laws and better support for victims of domestic violence. The incident has also shed light on the harmful effects of toxic masculinity and the need for more comprehensive education and support for men to address these issues.
As the investigation continues, the community continues to come together to support Yarl and his family and to demand justice for what happened to him.
cc: CNN
