LA jury sentences Tory Lanez for shooting Meghan Thee Stallion

Rapper Tory Lanez was found guilty of three crimes in the 2020 shooting of hip-hop icon Megan Thee Stallion by a Los Angeles jury on Friday, in a courtroom that descended into chaos following a trial that seethed with intensity. She suffered injuries from the attack, including bullet fragments in her feet, and Lanez's conviction may result in a sentence of more than 20 years in jail.

Lanez, who was escorted to jail while being handcuffed and wearing a powder pink coat and matching pants, did not react visibly as the verdict was announced.

But shortly after the jury was led away, Sonstar Peterson, the boy's father, jumped to his feet and cried out, "This wicked system stands judged before God almighty!" as cops closed in on him.

Peterson then pointed to the two prosecutors and yelled “You two are evil, wicked people. You know exactly what you did.”

Deputies pulled him out of the courtroom, where he yelled in the hallway, with great effort.

The 30-year-old Canadian rapper, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, was found guilty of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, possession of a loaded, unregistered firearm in a moving vehicle, and discharge of a firearm with gross negligence by the jury of seven women and five men after deliberating since Thursday.

The aggravating circumstances of the attack were also acknowledged by the jury, which means Lanez may be sentenced to up to 22 years in jail and deported on January 25.

While the verdict was being read, three small children, including Lanez's son, were seated in the first row of the courtroom. Lanez's stepmother gave a sad hug to a small child who was crying and then started shouting with her husband.

As he was led away, one woman said "we love you Tory" and several audience members yelled their agreement.

Throughout the majority of the eight-day trial, Megan and Lanez's supporters gathered outside the courthouse and filled the corridor and courtroom. Though occasionally heated, the situation was largely calm until the verdict was announced.

Megan Thee Stallion, whose real name is Megan Pete, testified during the trial that Lanez yelled at her to dance as she walked away from an SUV in which they had been traveling in the Hollywood Hills in the summer of 2020 and discharged a revolver at the back of her feet. She claimed that once she began disparaging his music, their argument between the two turned very intense.

To remove bullet fragments from her feet, she required surgery.

Alex Spiro, her attorney, said following the verdict that "the jury got it right" and that he was "grateful there is justice for Meg."

George Mgdesyan, Lanez's attorney, stated that they were "shocked by the verdict."

“There was not sufficient evidence to convict Mr. Peterson,” Mgdesyan said in a statement. “We believe this case was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt. We will be exploring all options including an appeal.”

The incident sparked a flurry of discussions about cultural themes that peaked during the trial, including Black victims' unwillingness to speak with police, Black women's protection, gender politics in hip-hop, and internet toxicity.

Prosecutors highlighted the fortitude Megan needed to come forward and the abuse the 27-year-old received in their closing statements. She supposedly had no reason to lie, according to those who said this.

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