Tory Lanez‘s motion for a new trial in the 2020 shooting of Megan thee Stallion has been denied.
Los Angles Superior Court Judge David V. Herriford’s decision came a day after the Canadian rapper begged him in court not to “ruin [his] life,” saying, “I could be your son, your brother.”
In March, Lanez’s attorneys Jose Baez and Matthew Barhoma submitted a request for a new trial. Among their reasons, they contended that some evidence introduced during the trial and certain statements made by witnesses during their testimony unfairly influenced the jury against their client. These pieces of evidence included an Instagram post from Lanez’s verified account regarding the case and a picture of Lanez’s tattoo of a gun. In addition, the motion raised concerns about the accuracy of the forensic testing and alleged that Lanez was denied his right to choose his legal representation.
While presenting their case in front of Judge Herriford Monday, Barhoma and Baez also argued that Lanez’s previous defense attorney, George Mgdesyan, was “ineffective counsel” and that Tory’s DNA wasn’t discovered on the gun.
However, the judge didn’t agree.
“The court finds no error, prosecutorial misconduct or newly discovered evidence,” Herriford said. “Motion denied.”
Lanez was found guilty in December 2022 of all three felony counts filed against him – assault with a semi-automatic firearm (personal use of a firearm), carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.
He is facing up to 22 years and eight months in prison.
Judge Herriford previously indicated if the motion for a new trial is denied, the rapper will be sentenced within 30 days of the hearing held on Monday.
