Tory Lanez, the artist convicted of shooting rapper Megan Thee Stallion in 2020, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.
In December of the previous year, a Los Angeles jury found Lanez guilty of three charges connected to the July 2020 shooting of fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion in the Hollywood Hills.
Lanez had initially pleaded not guilty to assault with a semiautomatic firearm, carrying a loaded unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharge of a firearm with gross negligence, as per prosecutors’ statements. However, the jury found him guilty on all three counts.
Megan Thee Stallion accused Lanez of shooting her in the foot after an altercation that led to her exiting a vehicle they had been traveling in.
LA County District Attorney George Gascón, in a press conference following the sentencing, explained that Lanez had attempted to silence Stallion after she accused him of the shooting. Gascón also read a portion of a statement from Stallion in court, where she reflected on the aftermath of the incident and highlighted the issue of violence against women.
Lanez’s attorney, Jose Baez, responded to the sentence, calling it “incredibly harsh” and suggesting that it was influenced by Lanez’s celebrity status. He added that Lanez is devastated by the news and intends to appeal the sentence. Baez also mentioned that Lanez could be out on bail pending appeal.
Megan Thee Stallion, known for hits like “Savage,” addressed the case in an essay for Elle earlier this year. She discussed how she overcame the public humiliation and smear campaign that followed the incident, emphasizing her resilience as a survivor.
The case has drawn attention to the issue of violence against women, particularly those who might not have the resources and support to come forward. The sentencing of Tory Lanez serves as a significant moment in the ongoing conversation about accountability, justice, and the importance of supporting survivors of violence.
