Canadian rapper Tory Lanez has officially lost his appeal in the high-profile shooting case involving Megan Thee Stallion, as a California appellate court upheld both his conviction and 10-year prison sentence.
A three-judge panel from the California Court of Appeal issued the decision this week, rejecting Lanez’s attempt to overturn his 2022 guilty verdict. The court found no legal errors significant enough to warrant a new trial, dismissing arguments that claimed procedural mistakes and new evidence should alter the outcome.
Conviction Stands in 2020 Shooting
Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, was convicted in December 2022 on three felony counts:
- Assault with a semiautomatic firearm
- Possession of a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle
- Discharging a firearm with gross negligence
The charges stemmed from a July 2020 incident in the Hollywood Hills in which Megan Thee Stallion was shot in both feet after leaving a party. Prosecutors said Lanez fired at the rapper while shouting for her to “dance.”
He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in August 2023 and has been serving his sentence at the California Men’s Colony.
Appeal Arguments Rejected
Lanez’s attorneys sought to overturn the verdict by alleging several errors during trial, including the handling of witness testimony, the admission of social media evidence, and what they described as “ineffective counsel.” The court, however, rejected all claims, ruling that none materially affected the outcome of the trial.
The judges also denied Lanez’s request to introduce new evidence — including declarations from potential witnesses and security personnel — stating that the proposed information did not meet the threshold for reconsideration or habeas relief.
In its opinion, the court wrote that the evidence against Lanez was “overwhelming” and that any alleged trial missteps were “harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.”
A Legal and Public Reckoning
The appellate ruling marks a significant setback for Lanez, who has consistently maintained his innocence. His legal team now has the option to appeal to the California Supreme Court, though experts note such reviews are rarely granted.
The decision also represents a broader moment of closure for Megan Thee Stallion, who faced years of public scrutiny and online harassment following her testimony. In 2023, the Grammy-winning artist told Elle Magazine she was “healing and moving forward” after a lengthy and painful legal process.
Impact and Industry Reaction
The case has sparked widespread conversations about violence against women in hip-hop, accountability, and the culture of disbelief often faced by women of color in the public eye.
Following the ruling, legal analysts noted that the decision reinforces the difficulty of overturning a conviction once a jury has found guilt beyond a reasonable doubt — particularly when appeals hinge on procedural claims rather than new, substantial evidence.
Tory Lanez remains incarcerated, with his sentence and conviction fully intact.
