Canadian rapper Tory Lanez was found guilty in a Los Angeles court on Friday of shooting singer Megan Thee Stallion in the feet during an argument in 2020 after a drunken night out in Hollywood.
During the trial between the two ex-lovers, the American singer recounted how the rapper opened fire on her, throwing her: “Dance, bitch.” Tory Lanez, real name Daystar Peterson, was found guilty of assault with a semi-automatic weapon and possession of an undeclared weapon.
The 30-year-old rapper, who pleaded not guilty and did not testify at trial, was jailed immediately after the verdict and faces more than 20 years in prison, according to various US media. His sentence expires on January 27.
argument by car
In the United States, this case has highlighted the treatment of women in hip-hop. It dates back to July 2020 and originates from a discussion between the two artists after an evening with Kylie Jenner.
They were returning from the evening by car, accompanied by the personal assistant of Megan Thee Stallion, who had also fallen under the Canadian rapper’s spell. Then a fight broke out.
Facing the jury, rapper Megan Thee Stallion, who collaborated with Beyoncé and won three Grammy Awards in 2021, described her horror when her ex-lover shot her in the feet.
“I’m in shock. I’m scared. I hear the shots and I can’t believe he’s shooting at me,” said the artist, whose real name is Megan Pete.
To cover up the incident, Tory Lanez offered him “a million dollars” to shut up, said the interpreter, mostly known by his title. wild.
story of “me”
According to prosecutor Kathy Ta, the confrontation was caused by Tory Lanez’s “broken ego.” The Canadian was irritated “because Megan was more successful than him,” she said in her indictment.
“He had an oversized ego and could not stand being disrespected,” insisted the magistrate.
For her part, Tory Lanez’s defense lashed out at an investigation she said was neglected. The rapper’s lawyer, George Mgdesyan, reduced the case to “a matter of jealousy”. According to him, it was Megan Thee Stallion’s personal assistant who shot the singer. According to the investigation, this assistant sent a text message minutes after the incident, where she asked for help and wrote: “Tory shot Meg.”
Shortly after the incident, the police stopped the car of the two stars. Transported to hospital, the singer initially claimed to have injured her feet on shards of glass.
symbolic judgment
In court, Meghan Thee Stallion attributed her reaction to mistrust of the police, just months after the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, two black men killed by law enforcement.
“At the time, we were at the height of police violence,” he recalled. “I don’t feel safe in the car. I don’t feel safe with the police either.”
After the verdict, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon praised Megan Thee Stallion’s “incredible courage” in a statement.
“Women, and especially black women, are afraid to report crimes like assault or sexual violence because too often they are not believed,” she said. “This trial … has underscored the many things we can do better for our society.”
Source: BFM TV
