Breaking News: Tory Lanez's Request for a New Trial Denied

  Breaking news refers to events occurring immediately and that must be reported immediately, usually because information can quickly become outdated if reported late enough. Tory Lanez's request for a new trial was denied by Judge David Herriford on Tuesday. Peterson (Tory), also known by her stage name Daystar Lanez, stands accused of killing Megan Thee Stallion in 2022 and is waiting to receive sentencing for this act of violence. Judge David Herriford Denies New Trial Tory Lanez, otherwise known as Daystar Peterson, was found guilty in December of shooting rapper Megan Thee Stallion and has been detained since then awaiting sentencing. On Monday at his hearing his lawyers attempted to gain him another opportunity at trial by alleging multiple errors occurred during its two week duration such as using Instagram comments as evidence and pre-trial testimony from Megan's former friend Kelsey Harris that caused an injustice that resulted in miscarriage of justice. Unfortunately Judge David Herriford did not grant them. Herriford issued his ruling on Tuesday (May 9) and disproved every argument presented by Lanez's legal team for retrial, and denied their request. According to Law & Crime journalist Meghann Cuniff, Herriford made this decision after debunking seven main arguments made in their motion for reconsideration. His reasoning included the requirement that any motion for a new trial be supported by substantial legal grounds and evidence, rather than used simply to reargue their case. Furthermore, even if evidence was compelling enough to warrant reconsideration by a jury verdict that led to it. Lanez's defense team also claimed that the judge was improper in permitting Instagram comments from his personal account to be presented as evidence against him, as well as using photos of his gun tattoo as proof of guilt. Baez and co-counsel Matthew Barhoma filed a motion alleging that Herriford's actions did not conform to California law and begged to present their full presentation, including audio-visuals and witnesses; but Herriford refused and tried convincing them he couldn't issue his ruling until their motion had been heard but ultimately refused their efforts. Lanez Faces Up to 22 Years in Jail As expected, Lanez was denied his request for a new trial in his shooting case. Following Tory's guilty verdict was handed down, his legal team filed an appeal with court alleging an unfair trial process and suggesting some evidence shouldn't have been considered admissible in his defense. On Monday, a judge heard arguments in support of rapper Lanez's motion presented by attorneys Jose Baez and Matthew Barhoma. Their legal argument included claims that an Instagram photo with Lanez wearing a gun tattoo on his chest as well as Kelsey Harris' full lyrics from her song "Bussin Back" being used to mislead jurors were prejudicial to Lanez and misled jurors during trial proceedings. Defense counsel argued that police failed to adequately search Harris' house or vehicle following the incident and failed to investigate her claims of having another gun. Furthermore, they claimed that original DNA evidence presented was flawed and inconclusive. The prosecution responded that the motion lacked substance, maintaining that a guilty verdict should remain. Now, the judge will proceed with sentencing the rapper; up to 22 years in prison could potentially await him and it's possible he could even be deported back home, Canada being his country of birth. At Lanez's court hearing, his supporters, including Daystar Peterson aka Lanez himself, gathered in support. One particularly emotional moment occurred when a young girl sat front row alongside her mother and grandmother while hearing the verdict read aloud. Rapper Rick Ross was found guilty in 2020 for assault with a semiautomatic firearm, possession of concealed weapon, and negligent discharge of firearm during an argument, and has been in custody ever since his verdict was read out. His sentencing date is scheduled for later this month. This case has raised numerous cultural issues surrounding victim reluctance to speak with authorities as well as gender politics within hip-hop. Furthermore, August Alsina and DaBaby released songs featuring lyrics related to this shooting incident; others such as Lil Jon dropped tracks which feature lyrics which directly address this incident - this case also generated numerous other artists producing songs which commenting on it; DaBaby dropped their respective songs with lyrics reference this shooting incident; DaBaby released tracks with lyrics which addressed it directly. Lanez’s Request for a New Trial Was Rejected Tory Lanez was denied a new trial Tuesday following months of delay, when a Los Angeles judge rejected arguments from Lanez's attorneys that evidence was unfairly admitted during his trial he presided over. Furthermore, he dismissed their claim that prosecutors improperly used his tattoo of a gun on his chest to infer that he liked guns. Lawyers representing Daystar Peterson had filed a motion for a new trial in March, alleging that certain evidence and witness statements had an unfair bias toward him, such as an Instagram comment and photo of his gun tattoo. Hearing on Lanez's motion had been delayed several times until Monday when it finally took place. At that five-hour session, his lawyers claimed prosecutors presented incorrect and misleading DNA evidence to the jury and also claimed his former trial attorney George Mgdesyan failed to adequately prepare him for trial. Lanez asked the judge not to deny his new trial request and "ruin his life". Unfortunately, however, this request was denied, leaving a higher court to decide whether it will hear his appeal. Judge Gregory Lanez found sufficient evidence for Lanez to be found guilty of assault with a firearm, carrying an unregistered weapon, and discharging it negligently - charges which he will now be sentenced for next month. As with most guilty verdicts overturned on appeal only 19 percent succeed; last year the appellate court overturned only one out of over 1,300 cases it heard for appeal - this decision comes as a crushing blow for Lanez who had hoped relaunch his career and repair his image following his shooting incident. Lanez’s Sentencing Will Be Scheduled After nearly two years in jail, Tory Lanez (real name Daystar Peterson) will receive his official sentence for shooting fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion. A Los Angeles judge will decide if Tory should serve up to 22 years and could even be deported back to Canada upon release from incarceration. His case has been repeatedly delayed as new attorneys were hired post-conviction; now however, it appears his request for a new trial will likely be denied. Lanez's legal team was disappointed from the start of Monday's all-day oral arguments on their motion for divorce, asking the judge to permit an elaborate presentation complete with audio-visuals and witnesses; instead he insisted upon narrow legal arguments on specific issues raised, as is typically done in California for such motions. One of Lanez's lawyers' key claims in his defense is that prosecutors mishandled evidence in this case. For example, they contend a social media post taken from his phone should not have been admitted into evidence as was originally planned and claim Kelsey Harris' testimony that Lanez threatened her by calling them "b**ches and hoes" is untrustworthy; also allege DNA evidence used fell far short of industry standards in its use for testing in this matter. Prosecuters were of the opinion that Lanez should be found guilty and sentenced to prison without any mistakes having any significant bearing on their verdict and that any potential mistakes would not significantly alter it due to being founded on false claims. Law & Crime reporter Meghann Cuniff reported that Lanez's sentencing hearing will likely take place later this month; however, it could be postponed further if his defense's motion for a new trial does not get resolved by then or it takes longer than anticipated for court to receive his trial transcripts; in such an instance it could likely take until early 2023 before another date can be scheduled for this hearing.