The musician Tory Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, has been handed a 10-year prison sentence on Tuesday for his role in the 2020 shooting incident involving fellow artist Megan Thee Stallion.
In December 2022, Lanez was convicted of three serious crimes connected to the shooting incident that left Megan Thee Stallion with a foot injury. Originally, the prosecution requested a 13-year prison term for the 30-year-old Canadian rapper.
On th other hand, Lanez’s defence team argued for probation and suggested that he should join a residential drug treatment program to deal with his alcoholism, which they attributed to childhood trauma.
Since his conviction in December, Lanez had been in county jail. On Monday, Megan Thee Stallion testified in court about the profound impact of the shooting on her life, stating, “Since I was viciously shot by the defendant, I have not experienced a single day of peace. Slowly but surely, I’m healing and coming back. But I will never be the same.”
Jose Baez, Lanez’s attorney, maintained the rapper’s innocence and argued for a year-long residential treatment program to address his alcohol addiction issues, expressing concerns about the financial support Lanez provides to non-profit groups and individuals.
Lanez’s father, Sonstar Peterson, emotionally spoke about the rapper’s mother’s death when Lanez was just 11 years old, explaining how music became his son’s outlet.
Also Read: What Did Tory Lanez Do To Megan Thee Stallion?
Lanez’s imprisonment is causing a stir online
News of the sentencing caused a stir on Twitter, with the phrase “10 years” quickly trending after the verdict was announced. This marks the end of a multi-year, divisive saga that unfolded predominantly on social media, in Lanez’s music, and on hip-hop blogs.
Despite the verdict, there is a segment of online commentators who believe Lanez was unjustly treated by the justice system and are rallying support for him using the hashtag #FreeToryLanez.
In court on Tuesday, Lanez spoke for the first time and expressed his care for Megan Thee Stallion, revealing that they had bonded over the deaths of their mothers and had used alcohol as a coping mechanism to numb their pain.
Also Read: Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion Collaborations: A Pinnacle of Musical Chemistry
Outside the courtroom, Jose Baez expressed his disappointment with the sentence, citing cases involving death that resulted in lesser sentences.
Meanwhile, George Gascon, the Los Angeles County district attorney, commended Megan Thee Stallion for her courage in seeing the trail through despite the intense scrutiny and criticism she faced. Gascon highlighted the importance of supporting women, especially Black women, in reporting crimes like assault, as they are often not believed.
The shooting incident occurred in July 2020, as Lanez, Megan Thee Stallion, a friend, and Lanez’s bodyguard were leaving a party at Kylie Jenner’s Hollywood residence.
Judge Cites Severity and Violations
Judge Herriford’s refusal to grant bail was based on multiple factors. To begin with, the judge underscored the seriousness of the “violent felony” that led to Lanez’s conviction.
Additionally, Lanez’s history of defying court directives, which included previous violations of protective orders, raised doubts about his willingness to comply with legal requirements. Furthermore, Lanez’s Canadian citizenship raised concerns about the possibility of deportation.
During the hearing, Lanez was legally represented by Crystal Morgan and Michael Hayden, who was acting on behalf of the nonprofit legal organization Unite the People. Despite the unfavorable outcome, Lanez’s legal team stressed that this was just the first phase of the appeals process, as reported by Rolling Stone.
