Tory Lanez is seeking release from prison as his attorneys prepare a new appellate challenge alleging prosecutors failed to disclose potentially material evidence during his 2022 criminal trial.
Lanez, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, is serving a 10-year sentence following his conviction in Los Angeles County Superior Court. A jury found him guilty of shooting fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion, born Megan Pete, in July 2020.
In his first broadcast interview from incarceration, Lanez told NBC News on Wednesday that he believes his conviction was unjust. “I believe I was wrongfully convicted,” Lanez said. He described recently uncovered evidence as “overwhelming.”
The shooting occurred after a party hosted by Kylie Jenner in the Hollywood Hills. Megan testified that Lanez shot her in the foot as they exited a vehicle. She sought medical treatment and later underwent surgery.
Lanez has consistently denied firing the weapon. He has maintained his innocence since the incident became public.
Last month, California’s Second District Court of Appeal affirmed the conviction. The panel concluded there was no ineffective assistance of counsel or prejudicial trial court error. Lanez’s legal team now plans to petition the California Supreme Court.
The proposed appeal will raise claims of a Brady violation. Under Brady v. Maryland, prosecutors must disclose evidence favorable to the defense. Lanez has also submitted a request for clemency or a pardon to Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Tory Lanez Reveals To Seek An Appeal In First On-Camera Interview
Speaking from California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo, Lanez said he is not attempting to relitigate personal disputes. “This is not about attacking her,” he said. “I want someone to look at the evidence and ask if this was fair.”
At trial, Megan testified that surgeons removed bullet fragments from her foot. A medical professional also testified. The fragments, however, were never introduced as exhibits.
The issue resurfaced during Megan’s recent civil defamation lawsuit against blogger Milagro Cooper. Cooper’s attorney, Ronda Dixon, reviewed Megan’s medical records during discovery and communicated with Lanez’s counsel, Crystal Morgan.
Morgan said Dixon identified a document the defense never received during the criminal case. “That paper is missing from our official trial records,” Morgan said.
NBC News reviewed a document appearing to be a Cedars-Sinai pathology report dated July 14, 2020. It references a “foreign body” collected by hospital security. The document lists Megan’s date of birth but does not identify the object.
Morgan questioned whether the bags contained bullet fragments and why they were not disclosed. “We could have pursued alternative theories,” she said.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office declined comment. Megan’s attorney did not respond.
Legal analyst Misty Marris said Brady claims face a high bar. “Defendants must show the evidence would have changed the verdict,” she said. “That is difficult to prove.”
Megan has said the shooting and trial damaged her mental health. Lanez said incarceration has been traumatic. “I’ve struggled mentally,” he said.
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