After a nine-day trial, Tory Lanez has been convicted of shooting Megan Thee Stallion in July 2020.
On Friday afternoon a Los Angeles jury found the Canadian rapper, born Daystar Peterson, guilty of all three charges — assault with a semiautomatic firearm, carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.
Lanez will be sentenced Jan. 27. The convictions may carry up to 22 years and eight months in prison.
Lanez, 30, showed “no visible reaction” as the verdict came down, the Associated Press reports, adding that he was handcuffed shortly thereafter.
The rapper, née Megan Pete, was commended by Los Angeles Country District Attorney George Gascón following the verdict.
“I want to start by highlighting the bravery of Megan Pete. You showed incredible courage and vulnerability with your testimony despite repeated and grotesque attacks that you did not deserve. You faced unjust and despicable scrutiny that no woman should ever face and you have been an inspiration to others across LA County and the nation,” Gascón wrote in a statement.
“Women, especially Black women, are afraid to report crimes like assault and s£xual violence because they are too often not believed. This trial, for the second time this month, highlighted the numerous ways that our society must do better for women,” he continued.
“I’d also like to thank the jurors for their time and thoughtful deliberation, and our trial team for their tireless pursuit of the truth. You spent countless hours away from your families during the holiday season preparing this case and finding justice for Ms. Pete. Your sacrifice is appreciated.”
Pete was then asked to recall the events of the alleged shooting, stating that she saw Lanez shooting “at me.” She also insisted that while she felt betrayed by her then-friend Kelsey Harris (who was present during the incident), she was confident that it was Lanez who shot her.
She also expressed her frustration with how the case played out, explaining that several male musicians took Lanez’s side. Pete also said she felt that the incident changed the trajectory of her career.
Tory Lanez declined to testify in his own defense earlier this week, Rolling Stone reported Wednesday.
During closing arguments on Wednesday, a prosecutor urged the jury to find Lanez guilty of shooting Pete “over nothing but a bruised ego,” according to ABC7. Meanwhile, the defense insisted that he didn’t fire the gun at all and it was Harris who pulled the trigger.
