Tory Lanez (legal name Daystar Peterson), who is serving a 10-year sentence for shooting Megan Thee Stallion, has had his latest legal efforts to overturn his conviction denied. According to Rolling Stone, a California appellate court on Tuesday, August 12, rejected two of his writ of habeas corpus petitions, which were filed in 2023 and 2024.
A writ of habeas corpus is a legal procedure that allows a prisoner to challenge their imprisonment. Lanez’s petitions sought to invalidate the jury’s verdict, claiming that certain evidence, particularly a misplaced firearm and its DNA, was not properly handled during the trial.
However, the three-judge panel denied his claims. The court cited a sworn testimony from an LAPD officer confirming that the firearm, its magazine, and all related bullets and fragments are still in police custody. The court also noted that Lanez “failed to request further DNA testing in the trial court” and did not adequately explain how such testing could exonerate him. The judges pointed out that bullet fragments, like those removed from Megan Thee Stallion’s feet, are unlikely to have usable fingerprints or DNA.
Despite this setback, Lanez’s main appeal is still active, with oral arguments scheduled for Monday, August 18. His legal team continues to argue that the previous trial was unfair and that his former lawyer provided “ineffective counsel” by not “properly object[ing]” during parts of Megan’s testimony. They are also alleging “prosecutorial misconduct.”
