Tory Lanez has officially lost his appeal. The California Court of Appeal has upheld his felony convictions and 10-year prison sentence for the 2020 shooting of rapper Megan Thee Stallion, according to legal journalist Meghann Cuniff. The ruling marks another major defeat for Lanez, who had been seeking to overturn his conviction on multiple grounds.
Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, was convicted in 2022 of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, carrying a loaded and unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.
Despite a highly publicized appeal campaign, the court found that the trial was fair and the evidence against Lanez was overwhelming.
Megan Thee Stallion’s Lawyer Responds
Earlier this year, Megan Thee Stallion’s attorney, Alex Spiro, submitted a detailed 31-page brief countering Lanez’s appeal arguments. Spiro maintained that the jury’s verdict was fully supported by the facts presented during trial.
“Despite Mr. Lanez being convicted at trial by overwhelming evidence… he and his team—flanked by any ignorant person they can find—have pushed whatever misleading narrative they can,” Spiro told Rolling Stone.
“All that is left is the simple truth: he was convicted by overwhelming evidence. Those who seek to traumatize the victim of the crime should be called out as foolish bullies.”
Key Evidence That Swayed the Court
The appeals court cited Ring camera footage and DNA evidence as crucial in affirming the conviction. The DNA analysis reportedly indicated a 90% likelihood that the shooter was male, further solidifying the prosecution’s case.
Lanez’s appeal also referenced alleged procedural errors and bias during trial, but the court rejected these claims, stating that they did not affect the outcome.
Civil Case Fallout
Separately, Lanez faces additional legal trouble. A Florida judge recently denied his request to avoid testifying in Megan Thee Stallion’s civil lawsuit against gossip blogger Milagro Gramz (real name Milagro Cooper).
Megan alleges that Cooper spread false information about the shooting and the subsequent trial — allegedly with Lanez’s financial support. Lanez’s attorneys argued that testifying could harm his ongoing criminal appeal, but Judge Lisette M. Reid disagreed.
“The court does not see how testimony regarding Mr. Peterson’s communications and relationship with the defendant would serve to prejudice his criminal appeal,” Judge Reid stated.
What’s Next for Tory Lanez
With the appellate ruling now confirmed, Lanez’s legal team can attempt to escalate the case to the California Supreme Court, but the odds remain slim. Unless granted an extraordinary review, Lanez will continue serving his 10-year sentence at a California state correctional facility.
The ruling cements one of the most high-profile convictions in recent hip-hop history — a case that reshaped conversations about violence, accountability, and credibility in the music industry.
