Tory Lanez was given a new sentencing date on Tuesday, following his December conviction for shooting fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion.
The “It Doesn’t Matter” artist was scheduled to learn his sentence today in downtown Los Angeles. Instead, the judge set a new sentencing date of April 10.
The Canadian rapper, born Daystar Peterson, has changed lawyers and his new attorney indicated he plans to file a motion for a new trial. The motion will be heard at the April 10 hearing, according to City News Service.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Superior Court Judge David Herriford also lifted a gag order barring Lanez from publicly commenting on the case. The decision means the hip-hop star could soon do an interview about his case.
Related Story: Tory Lanez Apologized Profusely After Megan Thee Stallion Shooting, Prosecutor Says
The rapper was found guilty on Dec. 23, of assault with a semiautomatic firearm; discharging a firearm with gross negligence; and carrying a loaded unregistered firearm in a vehicle; along with the special allegation of using a firearm to inflict great bodily injury.
Lanez has remained jailed without bail since his conviction. He faces up to 22 years and eight months in state prison, and deportation. His sentencing hearing was initially scheduled for Jan. 27, then moved to Feb. 28, before being shifted to April 10.
The rapper’s arrest came after Megan Thee Stallion, real name Megan Pete, was shot in the feet after leaving a pool party at Kylie Jenner’s house in the Hollywood Hills, in the early morning hours of July 12, 2020.
Prosecutors said a dispute broke out when Megan got into an SUV with Lanez and Kelsey Harris, her former best friend and personal assistant.
Megan demanded to be let out of the vehicle. As she walked away, a drunk and irate Lanez shouted, “Dance, b—h!” before opening fire, the prosecution said.
“The defendant had a bruised ego because Megan was more successful than him,” Deputy District Attorney Kathy Ta told jurors.
Related Story: Megan Thee Stallion Testifies Tory Lanez Begged Her Not to Report Shooting
Lanez’s then-attorney, George Mgdesyan, countered throughout the trial that Kelsey Harris was “the one who shot her friend,” and alleged Megan Thee Stallion made up a fake story about the shooting. “Megan Pete is a liar. She has lied about everything in this case,” Mgdesyan said.
The defense attorney also claimed the two women were love rivals because both had been sleeping with Lanez.
After losing his case, Lanez hired infamous defense lawyer Jose Baez in January. Baez won an acquittal for Casey Anthony in her 2011 trial for killing her young daughter, Caylee Anthony.
Baez told TMZ Lanez should have hired him from the start.
“I certainly wish I had come in sooner as opposed to later, and unfortunately, this is the way it is, but he’s got me now,” Baez said. “I am certainly willing to give him everything I have and hopefully we’ll get the best result possible for him.”
Discover more from Urban Hollywood 411
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
