Tory Lanez Hires One of Suge Knight’s Former Attorneys Following Megan Thee Stallion Trial Verdict
Suge Knight
Tory Lanez Will Reportedly Use Suge Knight’s Former Lawyer To Appeal His Shooting Conviction
Three weeks after being found guilty of assault in the shooting of Megan Thee Stallion (as well as two other charges) and facing up to 20 years in prison, Tory Lanez has reportedly tapped a new defense lawyer for his upcoming appeal. According to Meghann Cuniff (aka “Meghann Thee Reporter,” as fans dubbed her for her coverage during the trial), Lanez traded in George Mgdesyan for David Kenner, who previously represented Death Row co-founder Suge Knight and Snoop Dogg.
“Regarding Tory Lanez’s Tuesday court date, yes, there is a date listed on the jail roster,” Cuniff wrote on Twitter. “It’s not on Judge Herriford’s calendar, and he’s got a bunch of other stuff at the time. Attorney David Kenner confirmed to me last week he’s now representing Tory.” In a follow-up tweet, she noted that while Kenner is an experienced defender, “he’s joining the case a bit late: Before trial would have been better.”
Regarding Tory Lanez’s Tuesday court date, yes, there is a date listed on the jail roster. It’s not on Judge Herriford’s calendar, and he’s got a bunch of other stuff at the time. Attorney David Kenner confirmed to me last week he’s now representing Tory. pic.twitter.com/gDGlHtovzP
— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) January 8, 2023
Kenner is a longtime criminal defense attorney whose clients include former Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight. Anyone with actual experience in criminal law (not all lawyers) will tell you he’s joining the case a bit late: Before trial would have been better.
— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) January 8, 2023
She was careful to point out that “everything we’re discussing here is standard and expected post-conviction litigation – asking judge to reduce to misdemeanors, requesting new trial based on perceived issues with evidence/witnesses – but David Kenner only recently got on the case. Give it time.” She also confirmed that Tory’s January 10 hearing is to formalize the switch to Kenner.
Again, everything we’re discussing here is standard and expected post-conviction litigation – asking judge to reduce to misdemeanors, requesting new trial based on perceived issues with evidence/witnesses – but David Kenner only recently got on the case. Give it time.
— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) January 8, 2023
I confirmed this morning that Tory Lanez’s court appearance tomorrow is simply for David Kenner to substitute in as his new lawyer. And 132 is of course a reference to Judge Herriford’s courtroom 132, nothing else.
— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) January 9, 2023
What Cuniff didn’t point out (but hinted at) is that Mgdesyan turned out to be a bit of a disaster for Tory’s defense. A witness called to help clear Tory of firing the shots that wounded Megan Thee Stallion (or at least cast doubt as to whether Tory or Kelsey Harris, Megan’s friend who was with them at the time, did so) all but confirmed that the “smaller guy” both held and fired the gun — enough to establish the assault charge and related negligent discharge of a firearm count. Tory was convicted on all three charges (including possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle).
And while his supporters, including his father, who blamed the whole thing on Jay-Z for some reason, think Tory was railroaded, in truth, when his own defense lawyer pretty much sealed his fate, it’s hard to argue that anyone is to blame than Tory — whether for shooting at Megan in the first place or for not vetting his representation more thoroughly before the trial.
Megan Thee Stallion is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Tory Lanez Hires Suge Knight’s Former Attorney as His New Representation
Tory Lanez has acquired new legal representation. The currently incarcerated rapper has hired Suge Knight’s former lawyer David Kenner, tossing aside his trial attorney of George Mgdesyan.
According to Meghann Cuniff, who covered the case at length during the trial, Lanez made the swap and confirmed to the legal reporter Kenner is now in place.
“Regarding Tory Lanez’s Tuesday court date, yes, there is a date listed on the jail roster,” Cuniff tweeted. “It’s not on Judge Herriford’s calendar, and he’s got a bunch of other stuff at the time. Attorney David Kenner confirmed to me last week he’s now representing Tory.
“Kenner is a longtime criminal defense attorney whose clients include former Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight.” She added, “Anyone with actual experience in criminal law (not all lawyers) will tell you he’s joining the case a bit late: Before trial would have been better.”
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Tory Lanez Hires Suge Knight’s Former Lawyer
Tory Lanez has reportedly fired his attorney and hired Suge Knight’s former lawyer. Lanez was found guilty of three felony assault charges for the 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion.
The news comes from legal reporter Meghann Cuniff. Cuniff has been covering the trial of the State of California vs Daystar Peterson (Tory Lanez).
“Regarding Tory Lanez’s Tuesday court date, yes, there is a date listed on the jail roster,” Cuniff wrote on Twitter. “It’s not on Judge Herriford’s calendar, and he’s got a bunch of other stuff at the time. Attorney David Kenner confirmed to me last week he’s now representing Tory.”
Cuniff further continued: “Kenner is a longtime criminal defense attorney whose clients include former Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight. Anyone with actual experience in criminal law (not all lawyers) will tell you he’s joining the case a bit late: Before trial would have been better.”
She added that it’s unclear what the new court date is pertaining to. Los Angeles Superior Court doesn’t make court documents available to the public. As for what could be happening, she shared a few clues in a follow-up tweet.
“Some clues about what’s going on: Prosecutors tried to add a bribery count to Tory’s charges during trial, which the judge rejected,” Cuniff wrote. “Any post-conviction motion from David Kenner regarding false evidence or witness testimony is very unlikely to come this quick.”
As for what Lanez was convicted of, he was found guilty of felony assault with a semiautomatic firearm, possession of a concealed, unregistered firearm, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.
Check out Meghann Cuniff’s updates regarding Tory Lanez’s legal situation below.
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Steve Madden Says He’s “Obsessed” With Suge Knight
Steve Madden says that he’s “obsessed” with Suge Knight and wants to meet the former music executive. Madden discussed his appreciation for Knight while speaking with Joe Budden on Humans.
“I’m obsessed with Suge Knight. I never met him, I want to meet him,” Madden admitted.
Knight is currently serving 28 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter regarding a fatal 2015 hit-and-run. Madden says that he’s willing to visit the former Death Row mogul in prison if need be.
“Coming from where he came from, I think we need to cut him a little bit of a break. Although running over a guy probably not a great thing that he did,” Madden said. “I do admire the entrepreneurial spirit.”
Madden is no stranger to legal trouble. He spent 41 months in prison for stock manipulation, money laundering, and securities fraud back in 2002. He says that prison gave him the chance to learn about hip-hop music.
“I listened to southern Hip Hop which was like T.I. and all those, you know, those guys, that’s what we heard down there because I was in the south,” Madden said. “I remember, you know, that sort of like, that whole Atlanta and then Trick Daddy and all that stuff, and I would listen T.I.”
In addition to Suge Knight, Madden says that he also wants to meet Master P.
“I look up to Master P, I really admire Master P a lot,” Madden explained. “I was in prison with some guys from the projects that he was from.”
Check out Budden’s interview with Steve Madden on his Humans show below.
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Snoop Dogg Looks Back on Being ‘Out-Gangstered’ by Dionne Warwick Early in His Career
[WATCH] Dr. Dre Warned RBX About Taking Gifts From Suge Knight
In an exclusive interview with The Art of Dialogue, former Death Row rapper RBX talked about a circumstance in 1995 when he was gifted a brand new 750 BMW by Death Row CEO Suge Knight. While the deep voiced “A.WO.L” rapper initially accepted the luxury gift, his lawyer warned him about accepting gifts from such a precarious boss.
“Everybody thought I was weird for a minute. And the reason they was thinking I was weird was ’cause I be turning down shit,” RBX said. “Somebody called me, boom. [They said] ‘Come get this Beamer, X.’ I said, ‘What?’ They said, ‘Suge bought you a brand new 750!’ Mind you, I had just seen Snoop about a week prior. Snoop had a cold 850. I told Suge I want me a black 750.”
He continued the story, saying, “[My lawyer] say, ‘Where you get a Beamer from?’ I say, ‘Suge.’ He say, ‘Mm-hmm. Did they give you the bill of sale to the Beamer?’ I say no. He say, ‘Do you have registration for the Beamer?’ I say no. He said, ‘What do you have in the muthafuckin’ BMW that says that you have permission to drive it?’ I say, ‘Nothing. I got the key!’”
RBX said that it wasn’t long after that he remembered the wisdom of mentor and Death Row in-house producer Dr. Dre. “Dre was part of the label, and every now and then he’ll give you a jewel,” he said. “You gotta listen to him when he say some shit ’cause he not gon’ keep saying it to you. He gon’ say it once and if you don’t catch it then you probably won’t catch it. He was saying something like, ‘If it ain’t registered in your name, it’s not yours. It belong to somebody else.’ And that just stuck. So kudos to Dre.”
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Today In Hip Hop History: Snoop Dogg Dropped ‘The Last Meal’ LP 22 Years Ago
On this date in 2000, West Coast rap giant Snoop Dogg released his fifth full-length studio album entitled The Last Meal, which was released on Master P’s Dirty South, independent powerhouse, No Limit Records, as well as the first album on Snoop’s Doggystyle Records. This album was released during the “dog days” of Death Row, with Snoop and Dre parting ways with their former boss and label owner Suge Knight. The album was leaked on the internet on December 1, 2000, by Suge Knight who made all tracks downloadable in MP3 from the official site of his and Snoop Dogg’s former company Death Row Records, which featured links to tracks from both Tha Last Meal and Dead Man Walkin’ albums, asking visitors to “take The Snoop Dogg Challenge” and decide “song for song” which is the better album.
There was some heavy production on the album, with tracks primarily from Dr. Dre and Master P, adding Timbaland and Soopafly to the unique flavor of this project as well. The most recognizable track from the album was “Lay Low” a melodic track featuring Butch Cassidy, The Outsidaz with Nate Dogg singing the hook and Dr. Dre behind the boards, capturing that original G-funk sound of the 213.
Salute to Snoop, Master P, Dre and the entire No Limit/Death Row teams who helps mold this timeless classic!
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MC Eiht Recalls The “One Interaction” He Had With Suge Knight During DJ Quik Feud
MC Eiht says that he only met Suge Knight one time and it was during his feud with DJ Quik. Eiht recalled meeting the infamous former Death Row Records CEO during a recent interview with The Art of Dialogue.
Eiht explained that the two only ever had one interaction with one another.
“I wouldn’t say it was on a negative — back in the days, when I was having my little spat with Quik — this is way before we got cool […] Back in my heyday, I was a Crip; he was a Blood. Suge and them was Bloods. That was just the nature of Compton.”
From there, he explained that his mother and Suge’s mother both lived across the street from one another. One day, while Eiht was visiting his family, Suge pulled up on him.
“He told me to pull over and a couple of dudes walked up on my car, and he just wanted to tell me as far as the situation that was going down with me and Quik, the affiliations, it wouldn’t be trickled over into my mom’s place of residence.”
He added: “That was just the clarification I got from him that I didn’t have to worry about anything going down while my mom was living in their neighborhood.”
Eiht went on to explain that his feud with Quik essentially boiled down to their respective gang affiliations.
Check out Eiht’s conversation with The Art of Dialogue below.
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Today In Hip Hop History: Tupac Shakur Died After Being Gunned Down On Las Vegas Strip 26 Years Ago
Cultural icon Tupac Shakur was then taken to the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada hospital after being shot several times in a drive-by on a Las Vegas strip on September 7, 1996, and was under a medically induced coma for six days before dying from internal bleeding on September 13, 1996.
After several failed attempts by doctors to revive 2Pac, his mother Afeni Shakur requested for his life support machine to be turned off. What were the events that transpired the days before the September 7th shooting that caused his early demise and why has the mystery of his death never been solved? These are the questions that remain 19 years later. Chris Carroll, a retired Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department sergeant, told Vegas Seven Magazine in an interview last year that we may never know;
“Shakur’s murder is still considered an unsolved homicide and an unsolved homicide case is technically never closed. But nothing more is ever going to happen with it.”
After all the documentaries that have been put out pertaining to Pac’s death, most fans attempt to put the clues together and create their own hypothesis yet without hard evidence it’s still just an educated guess as to what really happened the night of September 7, 1996.
The only real evidence police have are the witness accounts from Outlaw member E.D.I Mean, who claimed to have seen all four men in the vehicle and Yaki Kadafi, who was involved in a scuffle with officers two days following the shooting after they pulled over a driver he was with and he protested. Officers did not try to locate Kadafi, who was later gunned down in Irving, NJ two months after the shooting.
Compton investigators assembled mug shots of several gang members, which included Orlando Anderson, the Crip that Tupac attacked in the MGM Grand lobby hours before the shooting. Anderson is the suspect said to have fired the fatal shots that killed Pac. Las Vegas police later discounted Anderson as a suspect and interviewed him only once. He was later killed in an unrelated gang shooting.
‘Pac’s killer has yet to be found or even suspected, but the fight to bring his killer(s) to justice is continual and highly publicized, which will hopefully bring the truth about his untimely death to light.
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