Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David Herriford has sentenced Tory Lanez to 10 years in prison for shooting Megan Thee Stallion in July 2020.
The Canadian artist shared a few words during Tuesday’s sentencing, expressing his regret over the incident and pleading with the judge for either probation or a shorter prison sentence. “If I could turn back the series of events that night and change them, I would,” Lanez said. “The victim was my friend. The victim is someone I still care for to this day.”
He continued, “Everything I did wrong that night, I take full responsibility for.”
Judge Herriford, however, explained that it was “difficult to reconcile” the version of Lanez described by his friends and family during the hearing with the version of Lanez that shot the Houston rapper that summer — which forced Megan to undergo surgery to remove the bullet fragments from her foot. “Sometimes good people do bad things,” he said. “Actions have consequences, and there are no winners in this case.”
Megan was not present during the sentencing, but passed a statement that was read in cour thte day before. “Since I was viciously shot by the defendant, I have not experienced a single day of peace,” it read. “Slowly but surely, I’m healing and coming back, but I will never be the same.”
Lanez was credited 10 months for time served as he’s mostly been in prison since his conviction in December, when he was found guilty of assault with a semiautomatic firearm; having a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.
“We’re extremely disappointed,” Lanez’s attorney Jose Baez. “I have seen vehicular homicide and other cases where there’s death, and the defendant still gets less than 10 years.” He further called the sentencing “really just another example of someone being punished for their celebrity status and someone being utilized to set an example. And he’s not an example. He’s a human being.” They will appeal the verdict and aim to have their client released on bail.
“I hope that [Megan Thee Stallion’s] bravery gives hope to those who feel helpless,” Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón shared after the sentencing.
During her trial testimony, Megan alleged that a heated argument took place between her, Lanez and her former friend/assistant Kelsey Harris as she confronted the two about rumors of an intimate relationship going on between them. When the rapper left the vehicle and began to walk away, Lanez supposedly yelled, “Dance, b*tch,” as he shot at her feet.
