In a significant legal development, Canadian rapper Tory Lanez has lost his appeal against his conviction for the 2020 shooting of fellow artist Megan Thee Stallion. A three-judge panel from California's Second Appellate District has affirmed the original verdict and his 10-year prison sentence.
Grounds for the Appeal
Tory Lanez, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, had sought to overturn his 2022 conviction on several grounds. His legal team argued that his right to testify in his own defence was unfairly restricted. They claimed he was deterred from taking the stand because prosecutors could have used his own song lyrics and other potentially damaging evidence against him during cross-examination.
Furthermore, the defence contended that the trial court made an error by allowing jurors to hear a recorded interview with Megan Thee Stallion's former best friend, Kelsey Harris. In this recording, Harris supported Megan's account that Peterson was the shooter.
Court's Reasoning for Upholding the Conviction
The appellate court delivered a decisive 46-page opinion rejecting these arguments. The judges noted that neither Peterson nor his lawyer ever formally informed the court that he wished to testify but felt chilled from doing so.
Regarding the Kelsey Harris recording, the judges ruled that the trial judge made the correct decision. After being subpoenaed and granted immunity, Harris repeatedly claimed she could not remember the events of that night. The court determined that her professed memory loss was a false and evasive tactic to avoid giving truthful answers. Consequently, her prior recorded statement was deemed admissible as a prior inconsistent statement.
The justices concluded, "We find no prejudicial error and, accordingly, affirm Peterson’s conviction." They also found no merit in claims of ineffective legal assistance or cumulative error during the trial.
The Final Verdict and Aftermath
With this appeal lost, the legal chapter for 33-year-old Daystar Peterson appears to be concluding. He is currently serving his decade-long sentence for shooting and injuring Megan Thee Stallion on a Los Angeles street following a party at Kylie Jenner's house in July 2020. This ruling solidifies the legal accountability in a case that has captivated the music industry and public for years.
