For almost 3 years now, fans have been following Tory Lanez’s assault case involving Megan Thee Stallion. A sentencing hearing was finally on the horizon, but Lanez’s new attorneys motioned for a new trial to raise new issues, delaying the court date to next week.
This sentencing date has already been rescheduled multiple times, as it was originally meant to occur this past January. In December 2020, Lanez was convicted of assault with a semi-automatic firearm, discharging a firearm with gross negligence, and carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle. Charges were pressed after he fired at, and hit, famous rapper Megan Thee Stallion in the foot following a verbal argument while the two were leaving a party.
Lanez and his new attorneys’ request for a new trial is based on a few different factors. They claim that there was prejudice shown in inaccurate evidence as well as with photos of Lanez’s gun tattoo being a subject of interest in the trial. They also have concerns with the forensic testing and say that the prosecution interfered with Lanez’s counsel questioning a key witness due to unsubstantiated rumors of the lawyer attempting to bribe the witness.
On Thursday, the prosecutors filed a response to Lanez’s appeal, standing firmly that the guilty verdict should remain and the motion lacks substance. The filing specifically addresses the concerns stated in the appeal says “the evidence presented at trial was properly admitted, and the defendant’s claims of errors and violations of his constitutional rights are without merit. The verdict reached by the jury was based on credible evidence and supported by the law.”
Lanez still claims his innocence and heavily places his defense on the idea that Megan Thee Stallion falsely accused him due to jealousy, claiming that she and another key witness had gotten into a fight over Lanez himself and other men. Megan Thee Stallion has responded to a lot of speculation and commentary on the whole incident telling fans that although the headline may seem funny, “this is my real life, and I’m real life hurt and traumatized.”
The judge will hear Lanez’s arguments for a new trial next week. If the previous ruling of guilty stands, Lanez could face a maximum sentence of nearly 23 years in prison and could also face deportation after his prison time is served.