It started as a typical night in the Hollywood Hills. Luxury cars, a pool party at Kylie Jenner’s house, and plenty of alcohol. But by sunrise on July 12, 2020, Megan Thee Stallion was in a hospital bed with bullet fragments in both feet. The legal saga that followed would split the hip-hop world down the middle for three years. Honestly, the internet became a toxic wasteland of conspiracy theories. But in the end, it all came down to what a jury decided in a Los Angeles courtroom.
So, what was Tory Lanez found guilty of?
Basically, the Canadian rapper—whose legal name is Daystar Peterson—was convicted on December 23, 2022, of three specific felony counts. He didn't just get hit with one broad charge; the prosecution went after him for every aspect of the violence that night.
The Three Felony Convictions Explained
The jury didn't spend much time deliberating before they came back with a "guilty" on every single count. It was a clean sweep for the prosecution. Here is the breakdown of exactly what he was convicted of:
- Assault with a semiautomatic firearm: This is the big one. It’s the charge that directly addresses the act of shooting at Megan Pete (Megan Thee Stallion).
- Carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle: This was a technical but crucial charge. The 9mm pistol used in the shooting was found in the SUV they were all riding in, and Lanez didn't have a permit for it.
- Discharging a firearm with gross negligence: This charge covers the actual firing of the weapon in a way that could have easily killed someone.
The legal system doesn't mess around with "gross negligence" when there are five shells on the ground and a woman bleeding in a driveway.
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What Actually Happened That Night?
The trial revealed a messy, drunken argument that spiraled out of control. Megan, Tory, Kelsey Harris (Megan’s former best friend), and Tory’s bodyguard were all in a Cadillac Escalade leaving Jenner’s house. According to testimony, an argument broke out about their music careers and their romantic entanglements.
Megan asked to be let out of the car. As she walked away in her swimwear, she testified that Tory leaned out of the window and shouted, "Dance, bitch!" before opening fire.
The defense tried to flip the script. They spent a lot of time trying to convince the jury that Kelsey Harris was actually the one who pulled the trigger in a "jealous rage." It didn't stick. The prosecution pointed to a recorded apology call Tory made to Kelsey from jail just hours after the shooting. In it, he sounded distraught, saying he was "too drunk" and asking, "What was I supposed to do?" He never explicitly said "I shot her," but the jury felt the context was clear enough.
The Sentence: 10 Years Behind Bars
On August 8, 2023, Judge David Herriford handed down a 10-year prison sentence. It was a massive moment. Prosecutors had actually asked for 13 years, citing Tory’s social media campaign to "humiliate and re-traumatize" Megan as an aggravating factor.
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Tory’s legal team fought hard for probation and a drug treatment program. They brought in experts to talk about his childhood trauma and his struggle with alcohol. Even his father, Sonstar Peterson, gave an emotional plea. But the judge was firm. He noted that while Tory had done a lot of charitable work, "actions have consequences."
Life Since the Verdict
If you haven't kept up with the news lately, things have been chaotic for Lanez in the system. In May 2025, he was reportedly attacked and stabbed 14 times by a fellow inmate at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi. It was a brutal incident—his lungs allegedly collapsed, though his team later posted that he was in stable condition and "talking normally."
Following that attack, he was moved to the California Men’s Colony near San Luis Obispo for his own safety.
On the legal front, he hasn't stopped fighting. His lawyers filed multiple appeals and habeas corpus petitions, trying to introduce "new evidence" from his driver, Jauquan Smith, who claimed he saw the gun in Kelsey’s hand. However, just recently in November 2025, a California appeals court denied his appeal in full. The judges basically said the defense had their chance to call that driver during the original trial and chose not to. You don't get a do-over just because you didn't like the first result.
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Why This Case Still Matters
This wasn't just another celebrity trial. It became a flashpoint for "misogynoir"—the specific brand of prejudice directed at Black women. For years, Megan was called a liar by huge figures in the industry, including Drake and 50 Cent. The conviction was a rare moment where a Black woman was believed in a high-profile assault case.
As of early 2026, Tory Lanez remains incarcerated. He's released some music from behind bars, dubbed the "Prison Tapes," but the legal walls seem to be closing in as his appeals are exhausted.
How to Follow the Case Updates
If you want to stay on top of the final legal maneuvers, here is how to track the situation:
- Monitor California Appellate Courts: Look for filings under the name Daystar Peterson. This is where any potential Supreme Court petitions will show up.
- Check Journalist Reports: Meghann Cuniff (known as "Legal Reporter" on social media) has been the gold standard for courtroom updates on this case.
- Official CDCR Inmate Locator: You can verify his current housing location and status through the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation website.
The case of Tory Lanez is a stark reminder that the court of public opinion and a court of law often live in two different worlds. One runs on hashtags; the other runs on evidence.