Rapper Tory Lanez convicted in 2020 taking pictures of hip-hop star Megan Thee Stallion
7 min readBy Associated Press
LOS ANGELES: In a courtroom that turned chaotic after a trial that seethed with rigidity, a Los Angeles jury on Friday discovered rapper Tory Lanez responsible of three felonies within the 2020 taking pictures of hip-hop star Megan Thee Stallion. The assault left her wounded with bullet fragments in her toes and Lanez’ conviction might ship him to jail for greater than 20 years.
Lanez, who was put in handcuffs and led to jail whereas carrying a powder pink coat with matching pants, confirmed no seen response as the decision was learn.
But moments later, after the jury was escorted out, his father, Sonstar Peterson, leapt up and shouted “This wicked system stands judged before God almighty!” as deputies closed in on him.
Peterson then pointed to the 2 prosecutors and yelled “You two are evil, wicked people. You know exactly what you did.”
With appreciable effort, deputies wrestled him from the courtroom, the place he shouted within the hallway.
The jury of seven girls and 5 males deliberated since Thursday earlier than convicting the 30-year-old Canadian rapper, whose authorized title is Daystar Peterson, of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, having a loaded, unregistered firearm in a car and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.
Jurors additionally agreed that there have been aggravating elements within the assault, that means Lanez might resist 22 years in jail and deportation when is sentenced on Jan 25.
Three younger youngsters, together with Lanez’ son, sat within the entrance row of the courtroom whereas the decision was learn. A younger woman cried and was hugged by Lanez’s stepmother, who was additionally tearful earlier than she started shouting alongside along with her husband.
Others within the viewers shouted settlement, and one girl shouted “we love you Tory” as he was led away.
Supporters of Megan and Lanez gathered exterior the courthouse for a lot of the eight-day trial and crowded the courtroom and the hallway. The scene was tense at occasions, however remained principally peaceable till the decision was learn.
Megan Thee Stallion, whose authorized title is Megan Pete, testified through the trial that Lanez fired a handgun behind her toes and shouted for her to bounce as she walked away from an SUV by which they’d been using within the Hollywood Hills in the summertime of 2020. She mentioned the 2 had gotten right into a dispute that turned particularly heated when she began insulting his music.
She wanted surgical procedure to take away bullet fragments from her toes.
After the decision, her lawyer, Alex Spiro mentioned “the jury got it right” and mentioned he was “thankful there is justice for Meg.”
Lanez’ lawyer George Mgdesyan mentioned they had been “shocked by the verdict.”
“There was not sufficient evidence to convict Mr. Peterson,” Mgdesyan mentioned in an announcement. “We believe this case was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt. We will be exploring all options including an appeal.”
The taking pictures set off a storm of cultural points and arguments that peaked through the trial, together with the reluctance of Black victims to talk to police, the safety of Black girls, gender politics in hip-hop, and on-line toxicity.
In closing arguments, prosecutors emphasised the braveness it took for Megan come ahead and the vitriol the 27-year-old confronted for it. They mentioned she had no incentive to inform something however the reality.
After the decision, District Attorney George Gascón praised her.
“You showed incredible courage and vulnerability with your testimony despite repeated and grotesque attacks that you did not deserve,” Gascón mentioned in an announcement. “You faced unjust and despicable scrutiny that no woman should ever face.”
Lanez’ lawyer alleged in his closing argument that the pictures had been truly fired by Megan’s then-best buddy Kelsey Harris in a jealous combat over Lanez, who tried to cease the taking pictures. The lawyer, George Mgdesyan, argued Megan created a extra sympathetic narrative by pinning the taking pictures on Lanez.
“Megan Pete is a liar. She lied about everything in this case from the beginning,” Mgdesyan mentioned. “She lied under oath here.”
Harris denied being the shooter and beforehand recognized Lanez because the one holding the gun. Her lawyer, in an e-mail, declined to touch upon her involvement.
Lanez started releasing mixtapes in 2009 and noticed a gradual rise in recognition, transferring on to major-label albums. His final two reached the highest 10 on Billboard’s charts.
Megan Thee Stallion was already a significant rising star on the time of the taking pictures, and her prominence has surged since.
She received a Grammy for finest new artist in 2021, and had No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 along with her personal track “Savage,” that includes Beyoncé, and as a visitor on Cardi B’s “WAP.”
LOS ANGELES: In a courtroom that turned chaotic after a trial that seethed with rigidity, a Los Angeles jury on Friday discovered rapper Tory Lanez responsible of three felonies within the 2020 taking pictures of hip-hop star Megan Thee Stallion. The assault left her wounded with bullet fragments in her toes and Lanez’ conviction might ship him to jail for greater than 20 years.
Lanez, who was put in handcuffs and led to jail whereas carrying a powder pink coat with matching pants, confirmed no seen response as the decision was learn.
But moments later, after the jury was escorted out, his father, Sonstar Peterson, leapt up and shouted “This wicked system stands judged before God almighty!” as deputies closed in on him.
Peterson then pointed to the 2 prosecutors and yelled “You two are evil, wicked people. You know exactly what you did.”
With appreciable effort, deputies wrestled him from the courtroom, the place he shouted within the hallway.
The jury of seven girls and 5 males deliberated since Thursday earlier than convicting the 30-year-old Canadian rapper, whose authorized title is Daystar Peterson, of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, having a loaded, unregistered firearm in a car and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.
Jurors additionally agreed that there have been aggravating elements within the assault, that means Lanez might resist 22 years in jail and deportation when is sentenced on Jan 25.
Three younger youngsters, together with Lanez’ son, sat within the entrance row of the courtroom whereas the decision was learn. A younger woman cried and was hugged by Lanez’s stepmother, who was additionally tearful earlier than she started shouting alongside along with her husband.
Others within the viewers shouted settlement, and one girl shouted “we love you Tory” as he was led away.
Supporters of Megan and Lanez gathered exterior the courthouse for a lot of the eight-day trial and crowded the courtroom and the hallway. The scene was tense at occasions, however remained principally peaceable till the decision was learn.
Megan Thee Stallion, whose authorized title is Megan Pete, testified through the trial that Lanez fired a handgun behind her toes and shouted for her to bounce as she walked away from an SUV by which they’d been using within the Hollywood Hills in the summertime of 2020. She mentioned the 2 had gotten right into a dispute that turned particularly heated when she began insulting his music.
She wanted surgical procedure to take away bullet fragments from her toes.
After the decision, her lawyer, Alex Spiro mentioned “the jury got it right” and mentioned he was “thankful there is justice for Meg.”
Lanez’ lawyer George Mgdesyan mentioned they had been “shocked by the verdict.”
“There was not sufficient evidence to convict Mr. Peterson,” Mgdesyan mentioned in an announcement. “We believe this case was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt. We will be exploring all options including an appeal.”
The taking pictures set off a storm of cultural points and arguments that peaked through the trial, together with the reluctance of Black victims to talk to police, the safety of Black girls, gender politics in hip-hop, and on-line toxicity.
In closing arguments, prosecutors emphasised the braveness it took for Megan come ahead and the vitriol the 27-year-old confronted for it. They mentioned she had no incentive to inform something however the reality.
After the decision, District Attorney George Gascón praised her.
“You showed incredible courage and vulnerability with your testimony despite repeated and grotesque attacks that you did not deserve,” Gascón mentioned in an announcement. “You faced unjust and despicable scrutiny that no woman should ever face.”
Lanez’ lawyer alleged in his closing argument that the pictures had been truly fired by Megan’s then-best buddy Kelsey Harris in a jealous combat over Lanez, who tried to cease the taking pictures. The lawyer, George Mgdesyan, argued Megan created a extra sympathetic narrative by pinning the taking pictures on Lanez.
“Megan Pete is a liar. She lied about everything in this case from the beginning,” Mgdesyan mentioned. “She lied under oath here.”
Harris denied being the shooter and beforehand recognized Lanez because the one holding the gun. Her lawyer, in an e-mail, declined to touch upon her involvement.
Lanez started releasing mixtapes in 2009 and noticed a gradual rise in recognition, transferring on to major-label albums. His final two reached the highest 10 on Billboard’s charts.
Megan Thee Stallion was already a significant rising star on the time of the taking pictures, and her prominence has surged since.
She received a Grammy for finest new artist in 2021, and had No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 along with her personal track “Savage,” that includes Beyoncé, and as a visitor on Cardi B’s “WAP.”
