Canadian rapper Tory Lanez was sentenced to 10 years in prison Tuesday for shooting Megan Thee Stallion in 2020.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David Herriford handed down the sentence to the 31-year-old Brampton, ON, artist born Daystar Peterson, who has been in custody since December 23, 2022.
That month, Lanez was found guilty of three felony counts against him in the case, including first-degree assault, discharge of a firearm with gross negligence and having a concealed an unregistered firearm in a vehicle.
Per the Associated Press, Judge Herriford said it was "difficult to reconcile" the person many described Lanez to be. The rapper's attorneys submitted 76 character reference letters from friends, family and other supporters.
"Sometimes good people do bad things," Herriford said [via AP]. "Actions have consequences, and there are no winners in this case."
In a written statement read by District Attorney Kathy Ta in court Monday (August 7), the artist born Megan Pete expressed, "Since I was viciously shot by the defendant, I have not experienced a single day of peace. Slowly but surely, I'm healing and coming back, but I will never be the same."
"I've been tormented and terrorized," Megan's statement continued. "He lied to anyone that would listen... He paid bloggers to disseminate false information, he treated my trauma like a joke when I could've been dead. He blamed the system, he blamed the press, and as of late he is using his childhood trauma to justify his actions. His crime warrants the full weight of the law."
As Los Angeles-based legal affairs journalist Meghann Cuniff reported, Lanez addressed the court following the sentencing, calling Megan Thee Stallion "someone I still care for dearly to this day," and speaking of how they bonded over losing a parent: "We both lost our mothers. We would sit there and drink, and drink until we got numb."
Lanez shot Megan in July 2020 during an argument following a party at Kylie Jenner's house in the Hollywood Hills. Moments after Megan left the vehicle they were inside, Lanez fired a weapon several times at her feet, wounding her.
Later confirming details of the shooting, Megan shared how she required surgery after being struck in both feet. She also noted how she did not report the shooting to police at the time due to issues with race-based police brutality in the US.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón commended Megan's bravery, sharing in a statement, "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.
"Women, especially Black women, are afraid to report crimes like assault and sexual 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."
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David Herriford handed down the sentence to the 31-year-old Brampton, ON, artist born Daystar Peterson, who has been in custody since December 23, 2022.
That month, Lanez was found guilty of three felony counts against him in the case, including first-degree assault, discharge of a firearm with gross negligence and having a concealed an unregistered firearm in a vehicle.
Per the Associated Press, Judge Herriford said it was "difficult to reconcile" the person many described Lanez to be. The rapper's attorneys submitted 76 character reference letters from friends, family and other supporters.
"Sometimes good people do bad things," Herriford said [via AP]. "Actions have consequences, and there are no winners in this case."
In a written statement read by District Attorney Kathy Ta in court Monday (August 7), the artist born Megan Pete expressed, "Since I was viciously shot by the defendant, I have not experienced a single day of peace. Slowly but surely, I'm healing and coming back, but I will never be the same."
"I've been tormented and terrorized," Megan's statement continued. "He lied to anyone that would listen... He paid bloggers to disseminate false information, he treated my trauma like a joke when I could've been dead. He blamed the system, he blamed the press, and as of late he is using his childhood trauma to justify his actions. His crime warrants the full weight of the law."
As Los Angeles-based legal affairs journalist Meghann Cuniff reported, Lanez addressed the court following the sentencing, calling Megan Thee Stallion "someone I still care for dearly to this day," and speaking of how they bonded over losing a parent: "We both lost our mothers. We would sit there and drink, and drink until we got numb."
Lanez shot Megan in July 2020 during an argument following a party at Kylie Jenner's house in the Hollywood Hills. Moments after Megan left the vehicle they were inside, Lanez fired a weapon several times at her feet, wounding her.
Later confirming details of the shooting, Megan shared how she required surgery after being struck in both feet. She also noted how she did not report the shooting to police at the time due to issues with race-based police brutality in the US.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón commended Megan's bravery, sharing in a statement, "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.
"Women, especially Black women, are afraid to report crimes like assault and sexual 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."
