Latest news with #UniteThePeople
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Megan Thee Stallion's Lawyer Challenges Claims Of 'New' Evidence, Roc Nation Sabotage In Tory Lanez Case
The 2022 Megan Thee Stallion shooting trial that resulted in Tory Lanez's guilty verdict and incarceration has become fodder, once again, following the Canadian artist being stabbed behind bars last week. This was followed by his reps and one rather vocal political supporter claiming 'new evidence' should exonerate the singer. During a conversation with VIBE, Megan Thee Stallion's legal rep, Mari Henderson, challenged the idea of 'new' evidence changing the established narrative, as Lanez supporter, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna's claims regarding DNA and Ring Camera footage were already presented in court. The attorney also addresses Unite The People's claim that a bodyguard confessed to hearing Kelsey Harris admit to shooting the 'Bigger In Texas' rapper during the trial. Henderson also addresses longstanding claims from Lanez's team that he never received a fair trial due to Roc Nation's affiliations within the legal system, as he previously claimed even his ex-attorney, Shawn Holley, worked with Roc Nation to orchestrate his incarceration. VIBE: At Tory's Unite The People press conference, the biggest revelation was that a bodyguard/driver by the name of Bradley James allegedly told them that he witnessed Kelsey Harris admit '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. In essence, Mr. Peterson never shot anybody.' What do you say to this specific claim? Mari Henderson: This is just the latest in a long line of falsehoods that he has drummed up to try to claim he's innocent. This person that they claim was Kelsey's bodyguard during the trial has yet to come forward themselves. Pure hearsay. This is the same person who, just a few months ago, claimed that he would be exonerated but for the fact that the gun was missing and couldn't be tested, when the gun never went missing and all along has been sitting in an LAPD crime lab for testing. On the DNA evidence point, how could it be that Kelsey Harris is the shooter when female DNA was excluded from the gun? So when you look at the hard facts and the evidence here, Tory's claims fall apart. Speaking of DNA, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna claims there is 'new' DNA evidence that, 'they actually found four people's DNA on that firearm, none of which was Tory's. Not to mention there was zero fingerprints on the actual magazine.' She also cited, 'Ring footage that's been obtained that actually disproves the whole 'dance Megan' scenario described in court testimony.' MH: First of all, let's consider the source. A republican congresswoman from Florida is suddenly jumping into the mix about a case that happened in Los Angeles and is somehow calling on the California governor to release Tory because of purported new evidence, when all I've seen from this representative is her rehashing things that were already revealed at trial, already seen at trial, and are in no way, shape or form new evidence. It was already known at trial that the gun was not fingerprinted. It was already known at trial that Tory cannot be included or excluded on the DNA of the gun. He had his own DNA experts testify at trial. This is the same woman who is now trying to perpetuate the narrative of 'exclusive footage' that exonerates him that is simply Ring camera footage that was played for the jury, indeed in opening statements by the prosecutor. We know that Tory has a long history of using paid mouthpieces to perpetuate false narratives as he continues to traumatize and re-victimize Meg now going on five years after shooting her. We know that Tory previously wrote an Instagram comment denying Harris was the shooter, with his team now claiming she is. Meg admitted that she initially lied about stepping on glass to protect Tory. Is it possible Tory also lied to protect Kelsey before everyone decided to tell 'the truth?' MH: It is not even a possibility if you look at the overwhelming evidence that was presented at trial. Meg explained exactly why she initially claimed that she stepped on broken glass, trying to protect Tory. Frankly, he was victimizing her so much and she was forced to come out and tell the truth because of his actions. This is someone who's continued to terrorize her for years, violate protective orders, violate gag orders, and even two and a half years after being convicted is claiming for the first time that he was trying to protect Kelsey Harris, but somehow in a two-week-long trial, that idea never came out and is now coming out only now for the first time. Something that has been brought up a quite a bit is the idea that Roc Nation and it's legal reps have connections that are able to sabotage cases. Lanez argues that he never had a fair trial, at one point accusing his own counsel of being in cahoots with Roc Nation. Can you address accusations that the case itself was compromised? MH: There's absolutely no truth to that. There are so many protections and checks and balances at every step of the justice system. There was a full, two-week trial in this case, the judge presided over it, the judge presided over two years of pre-trial hearings and the multiple times he violated his conditions of pre-trial release. After he was convicted, now it's gone on to appeals, he's filed for two Habeas corpus', he's filed an appellate brief. This case, at no point, was ever tried unfairly. Tory Lanez was convicted due to the overwhelming amount of evidence against him. To claim that this is was some injustice because of the D.A.'s office? Roc Nation was not a part of this. It was the the District Attorney's office prosecuting this case. These claims are just conspiracies that he's trying to use to drum up attention. And they're, frankly, just that, total and complete from GloRilla Clarifies Tory Lanez Repost After Social Media Assumes Rift With Megan Thee Stallion SZA Defends Megan Thee Stallion Amid "Bullying" From Tory Lanez Supporters Tory Lanez Receives Support From Congresswoman Calling For Him To Be Released From Prison
Black America Web
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Drake Tells Tory Lanez 'Come Home Soon' & Posts Prison Release Petition, Social Media Fries Him Up
Drake once again proves that he won't let an old beef with Tory Lanez stop him from supporting his friend while in jail. Now, he's taking his support for the fellow Canadian rapper a step further by urging the powers that be to commute Lanez's sentence by signing a petition he posted to his Instagram Story with a caption that reads, '@torylanez come home soon.' The petition, titled 'Pardon Tory Lanez: Urge Governor Newsom to Correct a Deep Injustice,' has over 230,000 signatures. It's addressed to California's Governor Gavin Newsom, where Lanez is currently serving a 10-year sentence in California Correctional Institution (CCI) in Tehachapi after being found guilty on three felony counts after shooting of Megan Thee Stallion in 2020. Claims of his innocence are supported by his lawyers saying there's a lack of physical evidence which include not finding any of Lanez DNA on the on the gun used in the shooting, the fact that Meg's friend Kelsey Harris' DNA not being tested despite gunshot residue being found on her as well and 's worn affidavits and eyewitness accounts that contradicted the prosecution's narrative were ignored or suppressed.' Other artists who shared the petition include Kanye West, Kodak Black, Popcaan, Joyner Lucas, and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie. The petition originated on Lanez's social media accounts. His lawyers are also pointing to new evidence by way of a press conference held this week with a social justice nonprofit, Unite The People, where Harris' former bodyguard alleges he overheard her admit to shooting Meg. 'Mr. James informed Unite The People that he was a witness to the conversation Ms. Harris had where she stated she had the gun, she fired it three times,' the organization's lead legal consultant, Walter Roberts, said. 'Mr. Peterson grabbed her arm and knocked it down, and the gun fired two more times. In essence, Mr. Peterson never shot anybody…never even touched that gun. Never fired the gun.' The case's development comes after Lanez was stabbed 14 times in prison and was transported to a local hospital with collapsed lungs. TMZ reports that inmate Santino Casio did the stabbing , and the attack consisted of seven wounds in the back, four in the torso, and three in the head and face. Lanez is reportedly doing better now, but see how social media is reacting to the petition below. Drake Tells Tory Lanez 'Come Home Soon' & Posts Prison Release Petition, Social Media Fries Him Up was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Bodyguard for Megan Thee Stallion's former friend Kelsey Harris claims she admitted to shooting rapper, not Tory Lanez
The bodyguard and driver for Kelsey Harris alleges that he overheard her say that she shot Meg three times before Tory Lanez slapped the gun out of her hand. The saga of Tory Lanez (Daystar Peterson) and Megan Thee Stallion (Megan Pete) cannot seem to end. Lanez, who was recently stabbed 14 times in a prison altercation, is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for, among other things, shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the foot in 2020 after an argument. Lanez has maintained his innocence in the shooting; the only other person (aside from the driver of the SUV they were riding in) was Meg's former best friend, Kelsey Harris. In a press conference held by Lanez's legal team, Unite The People, Walter Roberts, the lead legal consultant for the organization, alleges that Lanez didn't shoot Megan. According to Roberts, United The People was approached by Bradley James, the bodyguard and driver for Kelsey Harris during Lanez's trial, who allegedly overheard Harris admit to being the shooter. 'Mr. James informed Unite The People that he was witness to the conversation Ms. Harris had where she stated she had the gun, she fired it three times,' Roberts shared with reporters. 'Mr. Peterson (Lanez) grabbed her arm and knocked it down and the gun fired two more times. In essence, Mr. Peterson never shot anybody…never even touched that gun. Never fired the gun.' According to Unite the People's website, it is a California-based nonprofit organization formed in 2014 by a 'small group of concerned citizens, defense attorneys, and families and friends of incarcerated loved ones.' Its stated goal is to 'fight for social justice and deal with our national problems of mass incarceration and the need for prison and sentencing reform.' Roberts claims that the statement 'aligns' with the testimony given by witness Sean Kelly, who said he saw two women fighting and two men intervening before one man grabbed one of the women's arms. Kelly also claimed that gunshots came from the passenger side of the vehicle, where Harris was sitting, according to court testimony. In reference to why James, who did not sign any non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements with Harris, is speaking out now, Roberts said James was doing it because 'his conscience would not let him not speak and leave a man in prison for something he did not do.' Megan Thee Stallion has not yet responded to Unite The People's must-reads: Halle Bailey granted temporary physical and legal custody of son, citing DDG's alleged abuse Cassie questioned by Diddy's defense team about drug use and Michael B. Jordan Smokey Robinson under criminal investigation after sexual assault lawsuit filed by former housekeepers
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Megan Thee Stallion's Lawyer Answers Tory Lanez Not-Guilty Claim
Megan Thee Stallion's lawyer issued a response to Tory Lanez's new claim of total innocence. 'Tory Lanez was tried and convicted by a jury of his peers and his case was properly adjudicated through the court system,' Alex Spiro detailed in a statement, per Complex. 'This is not a political matter — this is a case of a violent assault that was resolved in the court of law.' The declaration followed Lanez's, legal name Daystar Peterson, nonprofit legal team holding a press conference alleging they had evidence that vindicated the Canadian musician. Unite The People, the firm also working with blogger Milagro Gramz, who the Houston rapper is suing for being a 'paid surrogate' of Peterson, among other allegations, hosted a press conference on Wednesday (May 14) where they presented their case. According to its official website, Unite The People is a California-based organization formed in 2014 by a small group of concerned citizens, defense attorneys, and families and friends of incarcerated loved ones — to fight for social justice and deal with our national problems of mass incarceration and the need for prison and sentencing reform. The group claims a man named Bradley James, who allegedly worked as a bodyguard for Megan Thee Stallion's former best friend Kelsey Harris, witnessed a conversation that proved Harris pulled the trigger. He did not claim to be a witness to the actual violent incident. 'Mr. James informed us he was working as the bodyguard and driver for Ms. Kelsey Harris during Mr. Peterson's trial,' claimed lead consultant Walter Roberts at a press conference on Thursday (May 15). 'Mr. James informed us he was not under a non-disclosure agreement or a confidentiality agreement and was free to speak with Unite the People and that he was doing it because his conscience would not ler him not speak and leave a man in prison for something he did not do.' Peterson was convicted by a Los Angeles jury on three felony counts in December 2022 for shooting Megan Thee Stallion in July 2020 during an argument. In full, he was found guilty of assault with a semiautomatic handgun, carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the crime. Earlier this week, as his legal team argued for his innocence, Peterson claimed to have been stabbed 14 times while behind bars. No images or official medical records have been released, however, the singer's team did share a statement on social media regarding the alleged attack, where they explained he is in 'good spirits.' The alleged blade wielder was named Santino Casio, a man serving a life sentence for a second-degree murder charge, first-degree attempted murder, personal use of a deadly weapon, and inflicting 'great bodily injury.' More from Tory Lanez's Team Claims Kelsey Harris' Bodyguard Said She Shot Megan Thee Stallion, Not Tory Tory Lanez's Suspected Prison Attacker Already Serving Life Sentence, More Details Emerge Tory Lanez Breaks Silence On Injuries Suffered From Being Stabbed 14 Times In Prison
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tory Lanez Legal Team Calls for Pardon After Prison Stabbing, Claims New Evidence in Shooting Case
Tory Lanez's legal team called on Governor Gavin Newsom to pardon the rapper or commute his sentence days after he was stabbed in prison this week, while further claiming to have new evidence in the rapper's case over the shooting of Megan Thee Stallion. Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, is currently serving a 10-year sentence after he was convicted on three firearm charges over the 2020 shooting, which left Meg, whose real name is Megan Mete, wounded with bullet fragments in her feet. Mete told the court that Peterson had shouted 'dance, bitch' before shooting her. Peterson pleaded not guilty in the trial and is appealing the sentence. More from The Hollywood Reporter Pro Sound Effects Library Teams With Musical AI to Create Licensed Training Datasets Yusuf/Cat Stevens Announces Memoir 'Cat on the Road to Find Out' Capitol Music Group Launches Nashville Division, Hires Candice Watkins as President During a press conference held by Peterson's legal team, Unite The People, in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, the rapper's father, Sunstar Peterson, said his son was airlifted to a hospital Monday to treat his injuries, but that he's healing 'remarkably well' following the 'unprovoked attack.' The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed Peterson was stabbed on Monday morning at 7:20 a.m., further stating that authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Peterson's reps said he was stabbed 14 times, including seven wounds to the back, four to his torso and two to the back of his head, and that both his lungs had collapsed. Sunstar Peterson said on Wednesday that Peterson was also stabbed under his left cheekbone and that 'his jaw was open.' Peterson is breathing on his own again, Sunstar Peterson said. Peterson's reps said Newsom should get Peterson released citing the stabbing, noting that 'if he is not 'pardoned and released promptly, he may never get out.' Sunstar Peterson called upon both Newsom and President Trump to take action during his speech. Unite The People said it hadn't contacted the Governor's office beyond making the call during Wednesday's press conference. Aside from the health update, both Sunstar Peterson and other representatives for Peterson had repeatedly stated that the rapper 'was never given a fair trial,' and claimed that prosecutors manipulated evidence to reach a conviction, specifically calling out former LA County District Attorney George Gascon. His team claimed to have received new evidence, with Walter Roberts — who Unite The People CEO Caesar McDowell said was the team's lead consultant — stating that a man named Bradley James had approached the organization 'a few months ago' claiming to be the bodyguard of Pete's former friend Kelsey Harris during the trial. Harris was in the car with Peterson and Pete during the incident. Roberts claimed that the bodyguard had heard a conversation in which Harris said that she fired the gun while Peterson knocked the gun down. James was not among the speakers at the press conference Wednesday. Roberts said the team hasn't gone to current D.A. Nathan Hochman's office about the claims yet. Pete's attorney Alex Spiro disputed Peterson's team's new claims in a statement to THR. 'Tory Lanez was tried and convicted by a jury of his peers and his case was properly adjudicated through the court system,' Spiro said. 'This is not a political matter — this is a case of a violent assault that was resolved in the court of law.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Most Notable Deaths of 2025 Hollywood's Highest-Profile Harris Endorsements: Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Bruce Springsteen and More
