Tory Lanez Sentenced to 10 Years in Megan Thee Stallion Shooting Case

Tory Lanez has been sentenced in the July 2020 shooting of rapper Megan thee Stallion.

Following a prolonged hearing that extended into Tuesday, Judge David Herriford of the Los Angeles County Superior Court issued Lanez the sentence of ten years in prison.

The “Say It” artist, real name Daystar Peterson, has been in a LA County jail since being convicted of first-degree assault, discharge of a firearm with gross negligence and having a concealed and unregistered firearm in a vehicle last year.

Lanez was originally scheduled to be sentenced in January after being found guilty on December 23, 2022, for shooting and injuring the hip-hop star known legally as Megan Pete. However, the sentencing had been repeatedly postponed due to Lanez obtaining new attorneys and filing a motion for a fresh trial. Despite his efforts, the request for a new trial was ultimately denied in May.

Lanez’s father, Sonstar Peterson, spoke in court Monday, reportedly growing emotional as he detailed his son losing his mother at age 11, calling it a trauma that “I don’t think anybody ever gets over,” USA Today reported.

Judge Herriford also revealed Monday he received more than 70 character letters in support of Lanez, including a handwritten one from Lanez’s 6-year-old son and another from his son’s mother. Rapper Iggy Azalea asked the judge to impose a sentence “that is transformational, not life-destroying,” according to reporter Meghan Cuniff.

Cuniff also reported that one jailer also wrote a letter stating that Lanez “is remorseful” and has spoken about the incident “in detail” and “what he could have done to prevent it.”

A jail chaplain also spoke in court on Lanez’s behalf detailing that the rapper started a daily prayer in the protective custody unit, which he says has lessened tension between inmates.

Although Megan Thee Stallion was not physically present at Monday’s hearing, the rapper provided a statement that was read aloud in court by DA Kathy Ta. According to Cuniff, Megan deliberated over whether to attend the sentencing in person, and her decision to be absent was intended to protect her mental well-being.

“Since I was viciously shot by the defendant, I have not experienced a single day of peace,” Megan said in a statement read by Ta. “Slowly but surely, I’m healing and coming back, but I will never be the same.”

She continued in her letter, “He lied to anyone that would listen and paid bloggers to disseminate false information about the case on social media. He released music videos and songs to damage my character and continue his crusade.”

Reportedly, she urged the judge to impose a stiff sentence, as leniency should be reserved for those who exhibit remorse, which Lanez has not demonstrated. She desires his punishment to send a powerful message about violence against women.

The proceedings extended into Tuesday, with both prosecutors and Lanez’s legal team presenting their arguments.

Cuniff reported that Lanez also spoke during Tuesday’s continuation of his sentencing hearing, sharing that Meg is “someone I still care for dearly to this day,” regardless of what she may think of him. He called her his friend and discussed how they bonded over the loss of their mothers.

Prosecutors initially sought a 13-year prison sentence arguing “circumstances of aggravation” are present in this case, citing Lanez’s lack of remorse. Earlier this month, Lanez’s attorney requested in a 41-page memo that the artist be sentenced to probation and ordered to enter a residential drug treatment program.

They claimed the evidence that resulted in his conviction is deemed “questionable at best.” As a result, they contend that his lack of remorse should not be considered during sentencing. They further argued that if the allegations were indeed true, then factors such as alcohol abuse and childhood trauma should be taken into account instead.

However, during the sentencing hearing, D.A. Alex Bott said the crime has no connection to Tory Lanez’s childhood trauma and instead “was an act of misogyny towards Megan.”