Rapper Tory Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by Los Angeles prosecutors. Lanez was convicted last year of shooting Grammy winner Megan Thee Stallion in the feet in 2020. The charges against Lanez include assault with a semiautomatic firearm and two other felonies.
According to Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, Lanez has been engaged in a pattern of conduct over the past three years that aimed to intimidate Megan and silence her truths. Gascón emphasized the fear faced by women, especially Black women, when reporting crimes like assault, as they are often not believed.
During the trial, Megan Pete testified that Lanez shot at the back of her feet and even told her to dance as she walked away from a vehicle they were in. The incident occurred after a party at Kylie Jenner’s house, where Lanez was involved in a heated argument with one of Megan’s friends. Megan stated that she didn’t want to move too quickly for fear of being shot and potentially killed by Lanez.
Lanez was also found guilty of possessing a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. Megan shared her feelings of powerlessness and questioned the ability of the justice system to truly protect victims of violence.
At a press conference following the sentencing, Gascón and Deputy District Attorney Alex Bott described the years of harassment Megan endured after the shooting. They emphasized Lanez’s intimidation and harassment towards her but commended her courage in coming forward and speaking her truth.
Prosecutors had sought a 13-year sentence, while Lanez’s attorneys argued for probation. Lanez’s lawyers also attempted to secure a new trial, citing factors such as insufficient time for preparation and alleged mishandling of DNA evidence. However, Judge David Herriford rejected these arguments.
Lanez’s lead attorney, Jose Baez, expressed disappointment and criticized the sentence as an example of someone being punished due to their celebrity status. Lanez’s father, Sonstar Peterson, apologized for his previous comments about the justice system and highlighted music as his son’s outlet following the death of his mother.
In a letter, rapper Iggy Azalea urged the judge to impose a transformative sentence rather than one that destroys Lanez’s life. The Associated Press and Aliza Chasan contributed to this report.
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