Ralph Yarl shooting: Attorney explains why assault charge filed instead of murder

Clay County, Mo. prosecuting attorney Zach Thompson explained on Monday why the homeowner who is suspected of shooting 16-year-old Ralph Yarl is facing an assault charge instead of murder or attempted murder. He said the assault charge is an “A felony”, which is the “highest level of offence” and another charge “may not carry that same level.” Thompson said there was a “racial component” to the case, though added that a hate crime charge is a lower level.