Court rejects Tory Lanez appeal in Megan Thee Stallion case
A California appeals court denied Tory Lanez’s attempt to overturn his conviction in the shooting of Megan Thee Stallion, delivering a significant blow to the Canadian rapper’s legal fight. The three-judge panel from the California 2nd District Court of Appeal ruled Wednesday, Nov. 12, affirming the guilty verdict that has kept Lanez behind bars.
The decision upholds Lanez’s conviction on three felony counts from December 2022: assault with a semiautomatic firearm, having a loaded and unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. It marks another chapter in one of hip-hop’s most contentious legal battles.
The Shooting and Its Aftermath
The incident occurred in July 2020 after Lanez, Megan and two friends left a party at Kylie Jenner’s home. During the trial, Megan testified that Lanez fired shots at the back of her feet while ordering her to dance as she walked away from their vehicle. The Mamushi rapper sustained injuries requiring surgical removal of bullet fragments from both feet. Though initially hesitant to come forward, she eventually identified Lanez as the shooter.
Back in August, Lanez’s attorney made an impassioned plea during oral arguments for the appeal, insisting that Daystar Peterson is innocent. The appeals court rejected those claims this month, finding no errors in how Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David Herriford conducted the trial.
Court Validates Trial Procedures
Judge Anne H. Egerton wrote the opinion for the appellate justices, systematically addressing each challenge raised by the defense. One major point of contention involved Megan’s testimony about her feelings while on the stand. According to Legal Affairs and Trials with Meghann Cuniff, the court ruled that Judge Herriford appropriately allowed Megan to discuss how difficult it is for women to be believed when making allegations against men. She had expressed reluctance about speaking out initially.
Egerton confirmed the jury received proper instructions to use such testimony when assessing witness credibility. This aspect of the appeal sought to challenge whether emotional context should have been excluded from the proceedings.
“We affirm Daystar Peterson’s conviction.”
The California Court of Appeal has affirmed Tory Lanez’s felony convictions and 10-year prison sentence for shooting Megan Thee Stallion. pic.twitter.com/SKtjNRTLS8
— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) November 12, 2025
Witness Testimony Under Review
The defense also contested the prosecution’s use of a recorded interview with Kelsie Harris, a friend who was present during the shooting. Harris proved to be an extremely reluctant witness during the trial, as Egerton noted in her written opinion. When questioned on the stand, Harris repeatedly claimed she didn’t remember, couldn’t recall or didn’t know the answers to questions posed by attorneys.
The appellate court determined that playing Harris’s earlier recorded statement to authorities was appropriate given her courtroom testimony. This ruling reinforces prosecutors’ ability to introduce prior statements when witnesses become evasive or claim memory lapses.
Social Media Evidence Debate
Another contested issue involved an Instagram comment from Lanez’s account that disputed a post claiming Harris had shot Megan. The defense argued there was no way to verify who actually wrote the comment and maintained it unfairly prejudiced the jury. Lanez’s legal team pushed hard against its inclusion during the trial.
The appeals court dismissed these concerns. Egerton wrote that any potential error in admitting the Instagram post was harmless, characterizing it as a minor issue within the broader case. The court apparently found overwhelming evidence beyond the social media post to support the conviction.
Current Imprisonment
Lanez is currently serving a 10-year sentence at California Men’s Colony near San Luis Obispo. He was transferred to that facility after being stabbed multiple times by a fellow inmate at California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi. The violent incident raised concerns about his safety within the prison system.
The failed appeal significantly narrows Lanez’s legal options moving forward. With the appellate court’s thorough rejection of his arguments, overturning the conviction appears increasingly unlikely. The case has sparked broader conversations about violence against women in entertainment, witness credibility and how the justice system handles high-profile defendants.
For Megan Thee Stallion, the ruling provides continued validation of her testimony and decision to come forward despite the scrutiny and backlash she faced. She has maintained her music career while becoming an advocate for women who have experienced violence, using her platform to address issues that extend far beyond her personal experience.
