Release Date Set for Tory Lanez After Megan Thee Stallion Shooting Verdict
Tory Lanez was found guilty of shooting Megan Thee Stallion. He's been sentenced to a lengthy prison term, with his release set for years later.
By D.M.July 30 2024, Published 2:12 a.m. ET
Canadian rapper Tory Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting Megan Thee Stallion. The sentencing, handed down by a Los Angeles County judge on Aug. 7, 2023, came after a messy three-year legal battle filled with wild allegations and media scrutiny.
The incident that led to Tory’s conviction occurred in July 2020, following a party at Kylie Jenner’s home. An argument between the “In For It” rapper and Megan, born Megan Jovon Ruth Pete, escalated into violence as they left the gathering. Tory was later charged with felony assault and carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, according to ABC News.
Tory Lanez was sentenced to 10 years in prison – here’s an update on his release.
Megan Thee Stallion’s emotional testimony led to Tory Lanez’s conviction. Taking the stand in December 2022, Megan recounted the traumatic night, describing how Lanez had allegedly yelled, "Dance, b****!" before firing the shots. She then detailed the physical and emotional impact the incident had on her life and career.
“I don’t wanna be on this Earth,” she testified (per The Guardian). “I wish he would have shot and killed me if I knew I would go through this torture.”
Tory Lanez performs onstage during day 3 of Rolling Loud Miami 2021.
Throughout the trial, Tory’s defense team argued that flawed evidence and misinterpretations presented reasonable doubt. They claimed that law enforcement conducted a rushed investigation and that Megan's account was inconsistent. Tory’s lawyers also suggested that Kelsey Harris, Megan’s former friend and the other person in the vehicle, might have been responsible for the shooting.
The Canadian MC was found guilty of three felony counts: assault with a semi-automatic firearm, carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.
“Since I was viciously shot by the defendant, I have not experienced a single day of peace,” Megan said in a statement before Tory’s sentencing. In August 2023, Tory was sentenced to 10 years in prison without the possibility of parole. He is expected to be released in 2033, per ABC News.
Tory Lanez has filed to appeal the prison sentence.
In February, Tory Lanez filed an appeal with his attorneys citing “erroneous admission of evidence,” according to documents obtained by Us Weekly.
The rapper’s attorneys argued that Megan was “allowed to inappropriately answer questions in a narrative format including testimony concerning irrelevant and inadmissible matters, such as her feelings regarding the circumstances of the incident.”
Tory Lanez performs at Triller After Dark.
The conviction and subsequent sentencing have inevitably cast a shadow over Tory’s career and personal life. Once a rising star in the music scene with hits like "Say It" and "LUV," Tory now faces an uncertain future. Additionally, his wife, Raina Chassagne, filed for divorce in June – after less than a year of marriage, People reports.
Megan, on the other hand, continues to rise in her career despite the ordeal. With the success of her third studio album, Megan, she has maintained her spot as one of the leading female voices in hip-hop.
