Tory Lanez Seeks Appeal in Megan Thee Stallion Case, Citing Trial Errors and Evidence Disputes
Rapper Tory Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, is actively seeking to appeal his conviction in the high-profile shooting case involving fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion. In December 2022, Lanez was found guilty of three charges related to the July 2020 incident where he shot and injured Megan Thee Stallion (born Megan Pete) in both feet. The incident occurred in the Hollywood Hills, and following his conviction, Lanez has been sentenced to ten years in prison.
Lanez’s defense lawyer, Jose Baez, has filed paperwork to overturn the conviction, arguing that there were several errors made by the prosecution during the trial. One of the central points of contention raised by Baez is the use of a shirtless photo of Lanez, which displayed a tattoo of a gun on his chest. The defense argues that this image was used to portray Lanez’s passion for firearms, while the prosecution claimed it was for identification purposes.
Additionally, Baez has challenged the admission of certain pieces of evidence, including an 80-minute interview by Kelsey Harris, who recanted most of her statements. The defense also criticized the prosecution’s claims that police matched bullets from Lanez’s gun to the fragments found in Megan’s foot and questioned the admissibility of Megan’s statements to the police following the incident.
The Los Angeles District Attorney’s office, which prosecuted the case, had initially sought a 13-year prison term for Lanez, based on the charges against him and additional factors. Judge David Herriford, presiding over the case, considered Lanez’s conduct after the shooting, including social media posts and continued harassment of Megan, as significant aggravating factors in determining his sentence.
Lanez’s legal team has also raised concerns about his struggles with alcohol abuse, suggesting that he be enrolled in a substance abuse program as part of his sentence. However, Deputy District Attorney Alex Bott argued that there is no substantial evidence to classify Lanez as an alcoholic.
Regarding Lanez’s potential deportation, his Canadian citizenship has been noted as a factor, with his attorneys stating that he is at risk of immediate deportation. Throughout the sentencing hearings, Megan Thee Stallion did not appear in person, instead providing a statement read aloud in court, emphasizing the toll the incident and subsequent proceedings have taken on her mental health.
As Lanez awaits a judge’s ruling on his motion for a new trial, scheduled to be heard on May 8, his team continues to maintain his innocence and accuse the prosecutors of suppressing exculpatory evidence that could exonerate him. The outcome of this appeal and the potential for a new trial remains to be seen, as Lanez faces up to 22 years in prison and the possibility of deportation.
This case has drawn significant media attention and raises important questions about evidence presentation and the role of personal history and character in legal proceedings.
