Tory Lanez

All eyes were on the Los Angeles County courthouse as hip-hop fans awaited the fate of Tory Lanez. In December 2022, the rapper was found guilty of committing assault with a firearm, which caused great bodily injury to Megan Thee Stallion. Lanez’s sentencing being rescheduled in June, and not it’s been postponed again.

People assumed Lanez’s sentencing was supposed to happen on Monday, August 7. But according to legal affairs journalist Meghann Cuniff, the presiding judge, David Herriford, surprised them with yet another delay.

“Incredibly, Judge Herriford managed not to finish today,” wrote Cuniff. “We are coming back tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. A few more things to talk about, then an argument, then Herriford will sentence Tory Lanez.” She added, “Megan [Thee Stallion] did not speak in person, but she submitted a statement that District Attorney Kathy Ta read aloud.”

In the series of posts shared to X (formerly Twitter), Cuniff wrote, “Megan said she struggled with whether to attend in person, and her absence should be seen as preserving her mental well-being. She said since Tory shot her, ‘I’ve not experienced a single day of peace. He lied to anyone that would listen.’”

Lanez could face up to 13 years behind bars. Several recording artists, including Meek Mill and Iggy Azalea, have weighed in on sentencing recommendations. In court documents, Megan shared her thoughts with the district attorney. “Megan said mercy is for people who show remorse, and Lanez has shown none,” wrote Cuniff adding, “[Megan] wants the sentence to be a message for every woman [that has faced] violence.”

Cuniff was sure to note that the judge mentioned that Lanez’s behavior post-incident would play a part in his sentencing. “Judge Herriford said he believes Lanez’s actions after the shooting, the social media posts, and harassment of Megan are a major aggravating factor in his sentence,” wrote Cuniff. “He says he won’t consider lack of remorse, but he says considering the post-shooting actions are similar.”

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Tory Lanez’s August 7 sentencing hearing is rapidly approaching, and after doing everything in their power to delay the inevitable, his lawyers are now asking for leniency from the court, according to Meghann Cuniff via Rolling Stone. While prosecutors have recommended 13 years in prison for the Canadian entertainer, his defense team filed a 41-page memo requesting he instead be sentenced to probation and sent to rehab, citing an alcohol addiction and childhood trauma.

Don’t be alarmed. That noise you just heard was me rolling my eyes so hard that they actually made a sound audible through your device’s screen. Strap in, it’s going to get louder.

The memo is quoted saying that the evidence against Tory is “questionable at best and by no means overwhelming” (roll), writing, “Assuming the allegations are true, Mr. Peterson’s psychological, physical, and childhood trauma was a factor in the commission of the offense” (roll). “Likewise, the current offense is connected to Mr. Peterson’s childhood trauma and mental illness, alcohol-use disorder,” it continues. “compromised his ability to manage and regulate his emotions and behaviors and that his alcohol use disorder played a significant role in the alleged offenses” (mega roll).

Tory Lanez, lest we all forget, was found guilty of committing assault with a firearm causing great bodily injury; concealing a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle; and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. He was accused of shooting fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion in the back of her feet in July 2020 and although he maintained his innocence, he was also never able to explain the shooting, insinuating her friend Kelsey was the one who pulled the trigger.

However, it was his own defense’s witness who identified him as the shooter during the trial, which also considered gunshot residue on Tory, text messages, and calls from jail that pretty thoroughly suggested he tried to not only apologize for the shooting, but also bribe the women to keep quiet. He also apparently led a harassment campaign against Meg, trying to paint her as a liar, leading to her admitting to suicidal thoughts.