Tory Lanez's latest effort to challenge his 2022 felony conviction has come to an end. The rapper, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, had pinned his hopes on two petitions brought before the California Court of Appeals, both of which were ultimately denied. This development marks yet another significant setback for Peterson, who is currently serving a 10-year sentence for the 2020 shooting of hip-hop artist Megan Thee Stallion. The latest push to overturn the conviction relied on claims of new evidence, but the court’s rejection solidifies the verdict and brings a new finality to the case.
Peterson's legal team had alleged during a press conference in May that a new witness had come forward. This witness, identified as Bradley Jennings, a former bodyguard and driver for Megan's former best friend, Kelsey Harris, claimed he had new information. According to the defense, Jennings had overheard a conversation where Harris allegedly stated that "she had the gun, she fired it three times, Mr. Peterson grabbed her arm and knocked it down, and the gun fired two more times.” This new account formed the core of one of the two petitions filed by Peterson's lawyers, who argued that this statement would have exonerated their client. They contended that "Mr. Peterson never shot anybody," a claim that stood in direct opposition to the jury's verdict.
The second petition sought to officially introduce this new testimony, but both were promptly denied by the California Court of Appeals. The swift rejection of the petitions underscores the court's view on the matter, suggesting the new evidence was not compelling enough to warrant a new trial or to challenge the existing conviction. The court’s decision effectively closes this avenue of appeal for the rapper, leaving his fate to be decided by his main appeal, which is still active and set for oral argument on August 18th.
The fallout from the latest denial was immediate. The very next day, Megan Thee Stallion's team issued a powerful statement via XXL Magazine, directly addressing the media frenzy and the defense’s claims. They asserted that the case had been "properly adjudicated through the court system" and was not a "political matter." They emphasized that it was a case of "violent assault that was resolved in the court of law," a clear signal that they view the matter as settled. Their response highlights the frustration with the continued attempts by Peterson's team to discredit the legal process and the initial verdict.
