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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tory Lanez Reportedly Launches Website To Prove His Innocence In Megan Thee Stallion Shooting
Tory Lanez is intensifying efforts to secure his freedom. The rapper's team is powering up to prove his innocence in the alleged shooting involving Megan Thee Stallion in June of 2020, which landed him in prison in 2023. The effort from Tory Lanez's team comes after he was moved to another correctional facility due to his involvement in a stabbing incident that left him injured in 14 different spots. Lanez's legal team has launched a new website, which features previously unheard audio from the night he allegedly shot Megan. The website aims to shed light on the 36 hours following the incident, which was triggered by Megan's Instagram Live session where she shared her version of the events. The audio carried an account from Sean Kelly, a witness interviewed by police on July 12, 2020, who stated in the video that he observed a woman, who is now identified as Kelsey Harris, aggressively exiting the rear of a Cadillac Escalade. He recounted witnessing a heated confrontation between Harris and Megan, describing a physical altercation that erupted between the two women. While the driver attempted to separate them, Tory reportedly remained in the backseat of the vehicle. Per TMZ, Kelly noted that it was during this chaos that he saw Kelsey begin to fire shots into the car, prompting Tory to rush out of the SUV to diffuse the situation. On May 19, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna from Florida's 13th district called on California Governor Gavin Newsom to reconsider the 2020 shooting case involving the singer, urging him to grant a pardon. Luna argued in her post on X that Lanez's conviction was founded on "flawed evidence and influenced by political pressure and prosecutorial bias." She emphasized the principle that "justice must be blind—not driven by headlines." On May 20, Luna further announced that new "compelling evidence" would be unveiled within 36 hours, which she believed would prove Lanez's innocence. She noted that those who had hastily called for the rapper's incarceration should be prepared for accountability due to the dissemination of false evidence. During a recent press conference held by Lanez's representatives from the nonprofit organization Unite the People, attorney Walter Roberts presented what he described as new findings in the case. Notably, he confirmed that an affidavit from Bradley James, Kelsey Harris' bodyguard, was in their possession. According to Robert, James, in his affidavit, claimed to have heard Harris admit to firing the weapon, hence suggesting that Lanez was not the shooter. Following the feedback from Lanez's team, Megan's lawyers swung into action, reiterating that new evidence would do little to nothing to ease the rapper's sentence. As shared by The Blast, Megan's lawyer, Alex Spiro, described the alleged evidence as mere rumors peddled as facts. Spiro explained that Lanez was convicted at trial based on overwhelming evidence, which included his admission of guilt. The attorney added that the rapper and his team have been promoting a misleading narrative, often supported by individuals who are uninformed about the situation. Spiro also dismissed reports of James being present at the shooting scene. He insisted that one simple truth still stands despite Lanez's team's shenanigans: "He was convicted by overwhelming evidence, and those who seek to traumatize the victim of the crime should be called out as foolish bullies." Nearly five years after news of the alleged shooting broke out, the rapper still grapples with the shadows of that unfortunate incident. Following the recent surge in discourses surrounding the event, Megan has been forced to defend herself from critics again. In a recent TikTok post, Megan addressed her critics, expressing frustration over continually having to revisit the trauma of being shot by Lanez. She questioned why the harassment persists and demanded that Lanez and his fans stop spreading false narratives about her experience. "Why is this happening EVERY DAY??" "TORY PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE you a f-cking demon," the rapper noted. Megan emphasized her honesty regarding the incident, pointing out that Lanez's guilt had been established in court. She ended her message by urging Lanez to leave her alone and announced her departure from social media, calling the situation absurd. May has been nothing short of explosive for both parties involved in the case. As noted by The Blast, the Canadian rapper survived a torturous prison stabbing episode that had him hospitalized. His family and fans were seemingly concerned by the incident that occurred at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi. Now that he is recovering, his father confirmed that he was moved to a new correctional facility to ensure his safety further. His dad, Sonstar Peterson, added that his transfer was an important part of prison protocol when a dangerous situation had happened. The incident reportedly left Lanez with collapsed lungs, but his father's gratitude for his survival remained evident. Peterson reiterated his son's innocence in whatever led to his prison experience. According to him: "Tory Lanez is the victim. He never provoked this incident in prison and anybody that knows him. in fact, I have met many people who went there to visit him, my wife and I, that will tell you that he is someone who is liked. He is not someone who is a troublemaker." Will the agitations from Tory Lanez's camp hold enough water to sway the hands of justice?
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Tory Lanez case: Megan Thee Stallion was not shot? New bodycam video emerges
A new twist in the Tory Lanez shooting case has several social media users claiming that Megan Thee Stallion was never shot and that the Canadian rapper is innocent. An alleged bodycam footage surfaced on Wednesday, where Thee Stallion can be heard talking about 'stepping on glass'. At one point, she even allegedly says that 'I was not shot'. Authorities are yet to issue a statement about the new claims. In the clip, a police officer can be seen questioning Megan Thee Stallion and Tory Lanez. The former says: "I really cannot go to jail. I cannot have that on my image.. Glass. I didn't get sh*t." Lanez adds: "I was just trying to help my girlfriend. Mego don't worry it's gonna be okay." In another footage from the night, a witness, identified as Sean Kelly, can be seen stating that he saw a woman fire a gun. Lanez was convicted in December 2022 for shooting at Megan Thee Stallion. He is serving a 10-year sentence for three felony charges—assault with a semiautomatic firearm, possession of a concealed unregistered firearm, and negligent discharge of a firearm—stemming from a July 2020 incident in the Hollywood Hills. On July 12, 2020, after a pool party at Kylie Jenner's home, Megan Thee Stallion (real name Megan Pete) alleged that Lanez shot her in both feet during an argument as they left in a vehicle with Megan's former friend Kelsey Harris and Lanez's bodyguard, Jaquan Smith. Megan required surgery to remove bullet fragments, and X-rays presented at trial confirmed injuries to her feet, she said. Lanez was convicted based on evidence including Megan's testimony, a text from Harris stating 'Tory shot Meg,' and a jail call where Lanez apologized. However, Lanez has maintained his innocence, and his team has now introduced new claims challenging the narrative. On May 14, 2025, Unite the People, representing Lanez, held a press conference alleging that Kelsey Harris, not Lanez, fired the gun. Their lead consultant, Walter Roberts, cited a statement from Bradley James, allegedly Harris's former bodyguard, who claimed he overheard Harris admit to firing three shots at Megan. Roberts stated that Lanez intervened by knocking Harris's arm down, causing two additional shots, and never fired the weapon himself. This aligns with testimony from Sean Kelly, a neighbor who witnessed the incident and reported seeing two women fighting before shots were fired. Additionally, bodycam footage from the night of the incident, shared widely on X, shows Megan Thee Stallion speaking to police. In the video, she appears distressed, asking, 'Ma'am, do you think we gon go to jail?... I really cannot go to jail... I cannot have that on my image... glass... I didn't get shot, no sir...' Megan Thee Stallion, in a May 19, 2025, TikTok post, vehemently denied the new claims, calling Lanez a 'demon' and asserting, 'He didn't dare get on that stand and deny he shot me because he knows he did that sh--.' Neither officials nor Megan Thee Stallion's team has react to the newly emerged claims.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
GOP Lawmaker Joins MAGA Call To Pardon Tory Lanez In Megan Thee Stallion's Shooting
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) is joining a slew of MAGA influencers in calling for Canadian rapper Tory Lanez to be pardoned, claiming that new evidence will prove he's innocent of shooting his ex, rapper Megan Thee Stallion. 'His 10-year sentence was based on flawed evidence, political pressure, and prosecutorial bias. Justice must be blind— not driven by headlines,' Luna wrote Monday on X, calling on California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to issue a pardon. Lanez, born Daystar Peterson, was convicted in California on multiple gun charges in 2022 for shooting Megan Thee Stallion's feet during an argument in July 2020. Megan, whose legal name is Megan Pete, testified that the argument began when she insulted Lanez's music, adding that he shouted at her to dance after being shot. Lanez released a statement following his sentencing claiming he was 'wrongfully convicted.' Megan opened up about the backlash she received following the trial in a 2023 essay featured in Elle, saying critics treated her 'trauma like a running joke.' 'First, there were conspiracy theories that I was never shot. Then came the false narratives that my former best friend shot me,' Megan wrote. 'Even some of my peers in the music industry piled on with memes, jokes, and sneak disses, and completely ignored the fact that I could have lost my life.' 'Instead of condemning any form of violence against a woman, these individuals tried to justify my attacker's actions,' Megan continued. Last week, Unite the People, a legal nonprofit that lists Lanez as an advisory member, announced new findings and alleged that Megan's former friend was the one who fired the gun. Several MAGA personalities, including Tomi Lahren, DJ Akademiks and Fox News analyst Gianno Caldwell have spoken out in support of Lanez. Luna told NewsNation's Chris Cuomo that she became involved in the case when model and President Donald Trump supporter Amber Rose approached her. She said her office was presented with additional DNA evidence and footage from a Ring camera that 'actually disproved the conviction.' '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,' Luna told Cuomo. Megan's attorney, Alex Spiro, addressed Luna's claim in an email to HuffPost stating, 'It's complete nonsense.' Spiro shared a 31-page document with Rolling Stone which disproves the 'unsworn rumors being spread as fact,' including Luna's Ring camera allegations. 'This is not a political matter — this is a case of a violent assault that was resolved in the court of law,' Spiro told the outlet. Other controversial celebrities who recently came in support of Lanez are Chris Brown, who posted a 'Free Tory' message on his Instagram story, Drake and Ye, formerly known as Kanye West. Megan slammed Lanez and his supporters in a statement posted on TikTok, writing, 'FACTS ARE FACTS, he did it.' 'It was PROVEN IN COURT fuck the hate campaign on the internet TORY YOU SHOT ME!!' Megan wrote. 'Ain't no new fucking evidence yall been saying the same shit for years.' Judge Extends Megan Thee Stallion's Protection Order Against Tory Lanez Rapper Tory Lanez Is Moved From A Los Angeles Jail To State Prison Toxic Famous Men Deserve What's Coming To Them
USA Today
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Megan Thee Stallion calls Tory Lanez a 'demon,' slams his fans for harassment
Megan Thee Stallion calls Tory Lanez a 'demon,' slams his fans for harassment Show Caption Hide Caption Rapper Tory Lanez attacked in California prison Rapper Tory Lanez was stabbed 14 times in prison, leading to his hospitalization, officials confirmed. Megan Thee Stallion is hitting back after Tory Lanez's legal team claimed new evidence suggests the now-jailed rapper didn't shoot her in 2020. In a post to TikTok on May 19, the Atlanta-based rapper, whose real name is Megan Pete, took aim at both Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, and his fans, accusing him of lying and calling him a "demon." "At what point are y'all gonna stop making me have to re-live being shot BY TORY !?" Megan Thee Stallion wrote. "At what point are Tory and y'all FANS gonna stop lying? Like, how much is the check to keep harassing me?" She continued: "One min him/y'all said I was never shot, now y'all letting him play in y'all face AGAIN and say I was shot but it wasn't him oh ok… ?!" Her comments come after Peterson's legal team, Unite the People, claimed they had several new witnesses willing to testify that he didn't shoot her. Hannah Berner apologizes for viral Megan Thee Stallion interview: 'Careless choice of words' Peterson was convicted in 2022 of shooting Pete in the ankle two years before, after an alleged argument in Hollywood Hills, California. The Canadian singer-songwriter, who pleaded not guilty on all counts ahead of his trial, was charged with discharging a firearm with gross negligence; assault with a semiautomatic firearm; and carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle. He is currently serving a 10-year sentence and was hospitalized earlier this month after being stabbed multiple times by a fellow inmate. In an update on May 14, Peterson's father, Sonstar Peterson, said his son was "recovering remarkably" after the incident and that medical professionals had already removed "the tubes that were draining the fluids from his lungs." Peterson's father also had a message for Pete, saying during the press conference: "We have prayed for her on many occasions." Megan Thee Stallion opens up about Tory Lanez case: 'I want him to go under the jail' The goodwill does not extend in both directions, though, as Megan Thee Stallion in December sought a restraining order against Peterson and his fans, alleging online harassment and doubling down on the claims in her recent post. "How y'all mad at the person that got shot ????" she wrote, "FACTS ARE FACTS, he did it, it was PROVEN IN COURT." Taking aim at "the hate campaign on the internet," she continued, "TORY PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE. You are a … demon." Despite her legal victory against Peterson, the "WAP" rapper alleged in the request for a restraining order that Peterson orchestrated a "campaign of harassment" against her, including employing a network of bloggers to slander her online. Demanding he stay at least 100 yards away from her and her home, vehicle and place of work, she also asked the court to order him not to contact her, directly or indirectly, and to stop his alleged online harassment. Contributing: Taijuan Moorman, KiMi Robinson, Edward Segarra
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna Calls for Tory Lanez's Pardon, Claims New Evidence Will Prove His Innocence
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida's 13th district is calling for Tory Lanez's freedom. The Republican urged California's Gov. Gavin Newsom to review the Toronto singer's 2020 shooting case and issue Lanez (born Daystar Peterson) a pardon in a message posted to X on Monday (May 19). 'I am calling on Gov. Newsom @CAgovernor to review Tory Lanez's case and issue a pardon,' she wrote. 'His 10-year sentence was based on flawed evidence, political pressure, and prosecutorial bias. Justice must be blind— not driven by headlines. Free Tory Lanez.' More from Billboard Megan Thee Stallion Slams Claim About New Evidence in Tory Lanez Shooting Case, Calls Him a 'Demon' Saweetie Locks in Debut Australian Tour Dates French Police Recover Bust From Jim Morrison's Grave, 37 Years After It Was Stolen Lanez is currently serving a 10-year sentence after being convicted on three felony counts tied to shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the feet following a July 2020 party in Hidden Hills, Calif. Rep. Luna has also claimed via X on Tuesday (May 20) that new 'compelling evidence' will be presented in the next 36 hours, which she believes will exonerate Lanez. 'We have compelling evidence proving Tory Lanez's innocence, and it will be released within the next 36 hours,' she wrote. 'Those who rushed to call for his incarceration, and worse yet pushed false evidence, should prepare to be held accountable.' Billboard has reached out to Megan Thee Stallion's rep for comment on Luna's messages on X. Reps for Lanez from the Los Angeles nonprofit social justice organization Unite the People presented alleged new findings in Tory's case during a press conference last week. Attorney Walter Roberts claimed that Kelsey Harris' bodyguard, Bradley James, filed an affidavit claiming he overheard Harris admit to firing the weapon and not Lanez. Megan Thee Stallion's attorney, Alex Spiro, released a statement refuting Roberts' claims. 'Tory Lanez was tried and convicted by a jury of his peers and his case was properly adjudicated through the court system,' he said. 'This is not a political matter — this is a case of a violent assault that was resolved in the court of law.' The 'Savage' rapper herself also slammed the claims of new evidence on Monday. 'FACTS ARE FACTS, he did it , it was PROVEN IN COURT f–k the hate campaign on the internet TORY YOU SHOT ME !!' she wrote in a social media post. 'Ain't no new f–king evidence yall been saying the same s–t for years.' Lanez was stabbed in prison on May 12 inside California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi. He was hospitalized for his injuries, and a statement posted hours later to his social media said he was stabbed 14 times, but was in 'good spirits' while recovering. It also noted that his lungs had collapsed, but was breathing on his own at the time of the posting. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
