The three-year saga finally comes to an end as the “Say It” will spend close to a decade behind bars.
Rapper Tory Lanez, real name Daystar Peterson was sentenced for a decade behind bars for shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the feet in 2020.
The decision followed a lengthy hearing that stretched into a second day, including seven people answering questions from Peterson’s attorneys. The line of questioning featured questions about Peterson’s childhood, charitable work and how he dealt with his mother’s death as a child.
Meghann Cuniff, legal reporter, notes that Peterson spoke for several minutes. He asked to not be sent to prison. He claims that he still cares about the Houston Hottie, real name Megan Pete.
Peterson’s attorneys submitted 76 character reference letters from friends, family, and supporters. These letters of support came from the likes of rapper Iggy Azalea, a police chief, a Missouri state representative and a doctor who treated Peterson for hair loss.
On Monday, during the first day of the sentencing hearing, Pete said in a written statement that she hadn’t lived a day of peace since the shooting. She also said that mercy is for those who show remorse, claiming that Peterson has shown none.
“He lied to anyone that would listen and paid bloggers to disseminate false information about the case on social media. He released music videos and songs to damage my character and continue his crusade,” the statement read.
Pete references Peterson’s album, titled “Daystar,” in which he denies the shooting. The Houston Hottie also refers to the social media blogs that spread misinformation throughout the entirety of the case and trial.
For example, Milagro Gramz, a hip-hop news commentator, covered the case before the trial began. According to NBC News, she posted a photo of a police report which said that the first doctor to see Pete confirmed that the rapper had laceration consistent with stepping in glass.
Fellow bloggers and podcasters took Gramz’s post seriously and presented it as proof that Pete wasn’t shot. Gramz’s Twitter was suspended for 11 hours after Pete’s legal team reported several of her tweets for abusive content.
Another instance features DJ Akademiks alleging that Peterson’s DNA was not found on the gun used to shoot Pete. In a now-deleted tweet, he wrote:
“It was revealed in court a few moments ago that Tory Lanez DNA WAS NOT found on the weapon in the Meg Thee Stallion case.” — DJ Akademiks, blogger and podcaster
According to the Daily Beast, at that moment, nothing had been revealed. Court hadn’t even begun when the blogger sent out the tweet. Pete responded to the claims, stating calling for bloggers to “be a real journalist and post FACTS.”
However, DJ Akademiks didn’t back down at this moment, claiming he saw legal documents with his own eyes. These documents allegedly claimed they were “inconclusive in finding” Peterson’s DNA. The Daily Beast notes these legal documents have never been publicized. It’s unclear how the blogger obtained the documents, if at all.
Peterson was officially charged in August 2020 and remained free on bail until September 2022. At that moment, he was placed on house arrest after allegedly assaulting singer August Alsina. Peterson was officially sent to jail after the jury convicted him on Dec. 23 of first-degree assault with a firearm, negligent discharge of a firearm and possession of a concealed and unregistered firearm in a vehicle.
Judge Herriford rejected his motion for a new trial in May, and the California appellate court rejected the request to remove the judge from the case or order him to grant a new trial.
The initial incident occurred when the Houston Hottie, Peterson and Kelsey Harris, Pete’s former friend, were driving from a party at Kylie Jenner’s house when the incident happened.
It allegedly began with a heated conversation as Pete wanted to go home at that point. The heated conversation turned into a full-fledged argument when the topic became about the women’s respective relationships with Peterson.
The “Say It” rapper’s 10-year sentence comes three years after the Hollywood Hills shooting.