Tory Lanez, real name Daystar Peterson, is breaking his silence in his first on-camera broadcast interview since being convicted and sentenced to 10 years in the July 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion, born Megan Pete. More than three years into his sentence, the rapper is now speaking from inside the California Men’s Colony, a prison in San Luis Obispo, and is seeking a pardon from California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Tory Lanez’s Ongoing Appeal Journey
In the case, Lanez was convicted on three felony charges in December 2022. The jury found him guilty on: assault with a semiautomatic handgun, carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.
Lanez was then sentenced to 10 years in prison in August 2023. Lanez has maintained his innocence in the shooting. During trial, his legal team even alleged Megan Thee Stallion’s former best friend, Kelsey Nicole Harris, was the shooter.
Tory Lanez has sought appeal after appeal and is now seeking another one. While speaking with NBC News on Wednesday (December 17), Lanez’s legal team said they plan to file an appeal with the California Supreme Court.
Tory Lanez And Legal Team Accuse Prosecutors In Megan Thee Stallion Shooting Case Of Brady Violation, Alleges They Withheld Critical Evidence
Last month, California’s Second District Court of Appeal denied Lanez’s appeal. The court found “no ineffective assistance of counsel or prejudicial trial court error.” However, Lanez’s legal team wields allegations of a Brady violation in their new appeal. The rule, established in 1963, requires prosecutors turn over material or potentially favorable information to the defense.
Lanez and his legal also alleged that prosecutors in the case withheld critical evidence during his trial. The rapper and his team allege records in Megan Thee Stallion’s recent civil defamation lawsuit revealed there may have been evidence never turned over during their 2022 shooting trial.
Lanez told NBC News, “I believe not only that I was wrongfully convicted, but the amount of new evidence that has emerged since that trial, I think, has been overwhelming.”
More than three years after his conviction, Tory Lanez now seeks a pardon or clemency from California Governor Gavin Newsom. Lanez’s hopes to either be fully pardoned, expunging his record, or have his sentence commuted. The latter would mean his time served will be enough for release, with his record remaining.
Tory Lanez Denies Being ‘Violent Towards Women’ And Says He’s ‘Healing’ From Trauma
Tory Lanez also told NBC News that he feels like the case made him out to be a “monstrous person.” He insisted that that is not who he is and has “never been violent towards women.” Lanez also said that he is now “healing” from trauma and “taking accountability.” He continued to deny having any ill feelings towards Megan Thee Stallion, insisting:
“When I talk about my case, I don’t want it to be taken as me coming at her, because it’s not that. I’m just asking for somebody in the system to look at my case and look at the evidence and ask if this was fair.”
Lanez also talked about life in prison and being nearly dying this year after being stabbed “17 times.” He said:
“Truthfully, I’ve done my best to keep my head above water, but mentally, I’ve gone through trauma that I sometimes even struggle with. Because I’ve never imagined myself dealing with things that I would have to deal with.”
