Rapper Tory Lanez is facing the possibility of a 13-year prison sentence following his conviction for shooting and wounding fellow hip-hop star Megan Thee Stallion. Los Angeles prosecutors have requested the lengthy sentence for Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson. In a sentencing memorandum, they argued that Lanez’s actions not only harmed Megan physically but also inflicted further trauma through social media posts. These posts, they claimed, emboldened Lanez’s followers to attack Megan.
Megan may choose to appear in court on Monday to deliver a victim impact statement, or a statement may be read on her behalf if she’s absent. Lanez’s lawyers, on the other hand, contend that he should receive only probation and be released to participate in a residential substance abuse program. They argued that the evidence leading to his conviction was questionable and pointed out his lack of remorse. They also suggested that if the allegations were true, factors such as alcohol abuse and childhood trauma should be considered.
Lanez has been in jail since December, when a Los Angeles jury found him guilty of three felonies: assault with a semiautomatic firearm, possession of a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. During the trial, Megan testified that Lanez had fired the gun at her feet and ordered her to dance as she walked away from the SUV in which they had been riding. The incident occurred after they left a party at Kylie Jenner’s Hollywood Hills home.
Superior Court Judge David Herriford, who will determine Lanez’s sentence, denied a motion for a new trial from Lanez’s defense attorneys on May 9. The defense argued that a post on Lanez’s Instagram account was improperly admitted as evidence. They also claimed that Megan’s testimony about Lanez dissuading her from reporting the incident to the police based on his parole status was untrue and improperly allowed as evidence of prior bad acts. Additionally, they criticized the DNA evidence presented by the prosecution, asserting that it fell short of industry standards. Lanez’s lawyers stated their intention to appeal the conviction.
Tory Lanez, who began releasing mixtapes in 2009, has gained popularity over the years, transitioning to major-label albums. Megan Thee Stallion, now 28, was already climbing the charts at the time of the shooting. Her career has skyrocketed since, with a Grammy win for Best New Artist in 2021 and No. 1 hits like Savage featuring Beyoncé and WAP featuring Cardi B.
The case against Lanez has sparked various waves of misinformation and online vitriol targeting Megan. These incidents have prompted discussions about misogynoir, a specific form of misogyny experienced by Black women. In presenting a balanced view of the topic, it is essential to consider different perspectives and opinions.
