Rapper convicted of three felonies in 2020 incident
Canadian rapper Tory Lanez will be sentenced on Monday for shooting fellow hip-hop star Megan Thee Stallion in 2020. A jury in Los Angeles found him guilty of three felonies in December 2022: assault with a semi-automatic firearm, carrying a loaded and unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. He faces more than 20 years in prison and possible deportation to his native Canada.
The shooting occurred on 12 July 2020, after the pair attended a pool party at Kylie Jenner’s mansion in the Hollywood Hills. According to prosecutors, Lanez and Megan Thee Stallion got into an argument in a black SUV, and as she walked away from the vehicle, he fired a handgun at her feet, injuring her with bullet fragments. She initially lied to the police about the incident, fearing for her safety and career, but later identified Lanez as the shooter on Instagram Live.
Lanez has maintained his innocence throughout the trial, claiming that he was framed by Megan Thee Stallion’s management team Roc Nation and that another person in the car, Kelsey Harris, was the actual shooter. His defense team argued that the forensic evidence was inconclusive and that Megan Thee Stallion’s injuries were not consistent with a gunshot wound. They also suggested that she had a motive to lie about the shooting, as she was jealous of Lanez’s relationship with Harris.
Shooting sparked controversy and backlash in the music industry
The case has drawn widespread attention and criticism from fans, celebrities, and activists, who have accused Lanez of abusing and silencing a black woman. Megan Thee Stallion, who won three Grammy Awards in 2021, has received support from prominent figures such as Beyoncé, Cardi B, Rihanna, and former US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. She has also used her platform to advocate for the rights and safety of black women, who are disproportionately affected by violence and discrimination.
Lanez, on the other hand, has faced boycotts, bans, and lawsuits from various media outlets, streaming services, and music labels. He has also been accused of launching a “campaign of misinformation” against Megan Thee Stallion, by releasing songs, albums, and online posts that denied or mocked the shooting. He even violated a court order by attending the same nightclub as Megan Thee Stallion in February 2021, which resulted in his bail being increased to $250,000.
Sentencing expected to bring closure to a long-running saga
The sentencing hearing is scheduled to take place at 08:30 PDT (16:30 BST) at the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Prosecutors have asked for Lanez to be sentenced to 13 years in prison, which is the maximum term allowed by law for his convictions. They have also requested that he pay restitution to Megan Thee Stallion for her medical expenses and emotional distress.
Lanez’s lawyers have requested probation and a residential drug treatment program for their client, citing his alcoholism and childhood trauma as mitigating factors. They have also argued that Lanez poses no threat to Megan Thee Stallion or the public, and that he has shown remorse for his actions.
Megan Thee Stallion has expressed relief and gratitude after Lanez was found guilty last year, calling it a “victory for every woman”. She has also said that she hopes to move on from the ordeal and focus on her music career. She is expected to attend the sentencing hearing and give a victim impact statement.
