Tory Lanez Loses Appeals in Megan Thee Stallion Shooting Case
Tory Lanez has faced setbacks in his attempts to overturn convictions related to the shooting of Megan Thee Stallion, with California judges dismissing two appeals that claimed key evidence had gone “missing.” On Tuesday, the state’s appeals court rejected Lanez’s habeas corpus petitions that challenged his felony convictions stemming from the 2020 incident, in which he shot Megan in the foot during a drunken altercation.
Lanez’s legal team argued that the absence of crucial evidence, including the gun used in the shooting and bullet fragments recovered from Megan’s foot, infringed on his due process rights. However, the appeals court noted a response from prosecutors indicating that the gun remains with the Los Angeles Police Department. The judges stated that re-testing the weapon for DNA evidence would not have changed the outcome of the trial.
“Petitioner has failed to [show] that additional DNA testing would establish a claim of actual innocence,” the court asserted. It further explained that both parties’ experts had concluded there was no DNA evidence linking Lanez to the gun, with inconclusive findings that could neither confirm nor deny his involvement.
The court also dismissed claims that prosecutors violated Lanez’s rights by not collecting a DNA sample from Kelsey Harris, a friend of Megan’s. Lanez’s legal team suggested during the trial that Harris might have been the one who fired the weapon. The appeals court remarked, “Petitioner essentially concedes that such a claim is ineffectual,” emphasizing that the prosecution is not obligated to gather evidence that may benefit the defense.
Despite these rulings, Lanez’s legal battles are not over. His direct appeal remains pending before the same appeals court, where his attorneys have described the guilty verdict as a “miscarriage of justice.” A live hearing for oral arguments is scheduled for next week, with a ruling expected in the coming months.
Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, was convicted in December 2022 on three felony counts related to the incident. Prosecutors detailed that during an argument following a pool party at Kylie Jenner’s home in the Hollywood Hills, Lanez fired a gun at Megan’s feet while shouting, “Dance, b****!” He was ultimately sentenced to ten years in prison in August 2023.
In addition to the discussions surrounding DNA evidence, Lanez’s team brought forth testimony from Bradley James, a bodyguard for Harris, who claimed to have overheard her stating that she fired the gun. The appeals court found this testimony unconvincing, noting Lanez “offers no explanation” for the timing of its submission just prior to oral arguments. The court indicated that the petition based on this testimony was untimely, lacking justification for the significant delay in seeking habeas corpus relief.
As the legal proceedings continue, the implications for Lanez remain significant, with the upcoming hearing poised to address his appeal against the original convictions.
