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After numerous delays, rapper Tory Lanez finally learned his fate after being found guilty of three felonies — assault with a semiautomatic firearm, having a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence — in December 2022. On August 8, Judge David Herriford sentenced Lanez (whose legal name is Daystar Peterson) to 10 years for shooting fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion’s feet during an altercation in July 2020. Lanez initially faced up to 22 years in prison amid his conviction.
Leading up to the sentencing, Megan submitted a written statement to the judge, noting that she “simply could not bring [her]self to be in a room with Tory again,” according to Entertainment Tonight. Furthermore, Megan asked that her absence not be misconstrued as a sign of indifference, as she urged the judge to issue a stiff sentence that carries “the full weight of the law.” She wrote, “Since I was viciously shot by the defendant, I have not experienced a single day of peace. Slowly but surely, I’m healing and coming back, but I will never be the same.” Similarly, prosecutors had urged the judge to sentence Lanez to 13 years in prison for his crimes, according to Billboard, while Lanez legal team requested the artist be given probation.
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On the contrary, Lanez also reportedly received 76 letters of recommendation ahead of his sentencing, including one from fellow artist Iggy Azalea, who advocated for a sentence “that is transformational, not life destroying” (via Vulture). She was subsequently dragged for showing her support — but she’s not backing down.
More to come…
