Activists have been threatening Zach Thompson due to the Clay County Prosecutor’s role in the Ralph Yarl case. The Prosecutor’s Office reported the incidents to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

*I chose to become the prosecutor and understood the risks that come with that responsibility - Zach Thompson*

The prosecutor issued a statement to stand up to the threats: “I chose to become the prosecutor and understood the risks that come with that responsibility,” Thompson said. “Victims of crime have not chosen their role. My focus, and the focus of our community, should be firmly on seeking justice for those victims. My message to anyone who seeks to influence the decisions of this office through threats to me or my family is that they will not succeed.”

Yarl’s father, Paul Yarl, and the civil rights attorney, Lee Merritt, have publicly expressed a lack of confidence in Thompson. They have even called for Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker to take over the case. Merritt told reporters that Thompson is moving forward with the case as lead prosecutor and the family is frustrated with how slowly Thompson charged the alleged shooter.

The Clay Prosecutor’s Office confirms that Thompson has spoken to Baker about personal opinions about how to deal with death threats and his family.

84 year-old Andrew Lester is charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. He is accused of shooting 16 year-old Ralph Yarl on April 13, when Yarl accidentally went to Lester’s house. On April 17, Lester appeared in court to answer for the charges.

A Clay County judge granted a motion to seal the case on Wednesday, May 31. Thomson didn’t oppose the request to seal the records, but said there needs to be a strong legal precedent established so the public knows why the records were sealed.

A preliminary hearing for this case has been set for August 31.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story