Tory Lanez will remain in jail while his lawyers appeal his conviction for shooting fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge David Herriford rejected the rapper’s motion for bail on Thursday, during a hearing in L.A.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Herriford said he reached the decision because Lanez is a potential flight risk, since the Canadian rapper is not a U.S. citizen. The judge also reminded Lanez, born Daystar Peterson, that he was convicted of a violent felony.
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One of the hip-hop star’s lawyers blasted the ruling.
“The outcome on this motion (and case) is a miscarriage of justice. Simply put, Daystar Peterson is a trademark applicant for bond on appeal. He is not a flight risk, poses essentially no danger to society, and has strong merit-based arguments on appeal,” defense attorney Matthew Barhoma said in a statement to The Times.
Barhoma said the rapper is being treated unfairly.
“Overall, it feels a lot like a punishment of his celebrity. Because the next defendant will likely get a different sentence and a different result,” he said.
The rapper requested bail so he can spend time with his 6-year-old son and and new wife during the appeals process.
The ruling means Lanez will be transferred from L.A.’s Men’s Central Jail to state prison.
The “It Doesn’t Matter” rapper was sentenced to ten years in prison on Aug. 8.
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He’s been in custody since Dec. 23, when he was found guilty on three felony counts — assault with a semiautomatic firearm; discharging a firearm with gross negligence; and carrying a loaded unregistered firearm in a vehicle.
Lanez had faced up to 22 years and eight months in prison and deportation following his conviction.
During the sentencing phase of the case, prosecutors asked for 13 years, while defense attorneys requested probation for the 31-year-old rapper.
Lanez was arrested after Megan Thee Stallion, real name Megan Pete, was shot in the feet following a pool party at Kylie Jenner’s house in the Hollywood Hills on July 12, 2020.
He has maintained his innocence throughout the case.
