Rapper Tory Lanez has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Los Angeles County Superior Court for assaulting fellow artist Megan Thee Stallion. Lanez was found guilty of shooting Stallion in the foot in July 2020. He was convicted of three felony charges, including assault with a firearm. Lanez spoke at his sentencing, expressing his care for Stallion despite her feelings toward him. Prosecutors sought a significant sentence, highlighting Lanez’s campaign to humiliate and discredit Stallion after the shooting. Lanez’s lawyers argued for rehabilitation over prison time. Stallion issued a written statement emphasizing the need for justice. Anastasia Tsioulcas and Chloe Veltman reported
Rapper Tory Lanez Receives 10-Year Prison Sentence for Assault on Megan Thee Stallion
In a significant verdict handed down by the Los Angeles County Superior Court, famous rapper Tory Lanez has been sentenced to a decade behind bars for his role in the assault on fellow artist Megan Thee Stallion. The incident, which occurred in July 2020 during a departure from a party hosted by Kylie Jenner, saw Lanez shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the foot. The court found Lanez guilty of all three felony charges: assault with a firearm, illegal firearm possession, and negligent gun discharge.
Tory Lanez has officially been sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting Megan Thee Stallion. pic.twitter.com/KoHITfMluB
— Pop Base (@PopBase) August 8, 2023
Background: The assault unfolded following a heated argument between Megan Thee Stallion and Tory Lanez inside a vehicle they were traveling in, accompanied by a mutual friend and Lanez’s bodyguard. When Megan Thee Stallion exited the car, Lanez opened fire at her feet, leading to her hospitalization and subsequent surgery.
Sentencing and Lanez’s Response: During the sentencing hearing, Tory Lanez spoke for a considerable duration, acknowledging Megan Thee Stallion as a friend he still deeply cares for despite the strain in their relationship. He emphasized the emotional connection they shared over the loss of their mothers. However, Megan Thee Stallion was not present in court; instead, she released a written statement expressing her desire for Lanez to face the full extent of accountability for his actions and to receive justice.
Legal Proceedings and Arguments: Prosecutors pushed for a significant sentence, highlighting Lanez’s subsequent efforts to tarnish Megan Thee Stallion’s image through misleading information on social media. They underscored Lanez’s attempts to turn public opinion against her, amplifying the victim’s suffering. Lanez’s defense team advocated for rehabilitation rather than incarceration, presenting evidence of his battles with alcohol, childhood trauma, and mental health struggles. Letters and statements from supporters were submitted on Lanez’s behalf.
Cardi was defending Megan from the start. Tory Lanez got what he deserves.
Now it’s time Cardi send megan her legal team. Cause she got a lot of bloggers to sue. 🙂pic.twitter.com/KQIr2vzM5V
— Cardi B | Updates (@updatesofcardi) August 8, 2023
Media and Cultural Impact: The media’s coverage of this case, while not as extensive as other high-profile celebrity trials like Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard, has generated attention due to the adverse treatment Megan Thee Stallion faced from Lanez’s fans and fellow artists. Notably, Drake’s lyrics insinuated that Megan Thee Stallion had fabricated the shooting incident. District Attorney Alex Bott characterized the shooting as an expression of misogyny against Megan Thee Stallion.
Insight from Hip-Hop Experts: Gabby Bulgarelli, a senior producer of NPR’s hip-hop podcast Louder Than a Riot, followed the case and offered insights. She highlighted Megan Thee Stallion’s position as a woman navigating a male-dominated industry, underscoring her challenges. Bulgarelli pointed out that hip-hop emerged as a platform for truth-telling, but those who dare to speak out often encounter backlash and marginalization.
Megan Thee Stallion’s Struggles and Revelations: Initially, Megan Thee Stallion provided authorities with a false account, claiming she had stepped on the broken glass out of fear of the repercussions of disclosing the truth. During her testimony in Lanez’s trial, she tearfully recounted her insecurity within the vehicle and around law enforcement. She also alleged that Lanez had offered her and her friend substantial sums to maintain their silence. In an album released two months later, Lanez denied shooting her, asserting he was being set up.
Legal Framework and Lanez’s Sentence: The maximum sentence for the charges Lanez faced was 22 years and eight months in prison. However, a recent California law aimed at reforming the criminal justice system dictates that courts should impose a mid-range prison term unless there are aggravating factors. Judge Herriford, who had previously denied Lanez’s plea for a retrial, ruled by this law. Additionally, being a Canadian citizen, Lanez could potentially face deportation from the United States upon completing his sentence.
The sentencing of rapper Tory Lanez to a decade in prison for assaulting Megan Thee Stallion marks a significant milestone in a case that has garnered attention for its implications within the music industry and the broader cultural discourse. The verdict reflects an ongoing struggle for justice, accountability, and gender equality.