Tory Lanez received’t face further bribery fees in his felony assault trial involving Megan Thee Stallion, who he allegedly shot within the toes in July 2020.
According to Rolling Stone, Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney Kathy Ta motioned to tack two new witness tampering fees onto the rapper’s current fees throughout day six of the trial on Monday (December 19).
Ta cited allegations that Tory provided Megan and her former good friend and assistant, Kelsey Harris, a “$1 million bribe” to maintain quiet in regards to the taking pictures. She additionally cited California Penal Code 136.1, which makes it against the law to try to dissuade a witness.
“It’s based on testimony by both the victim and Ms. (Kelsey) Harris” about “statements the defendant made in the car, offering them a million dollars” in hush cash, Ta instructed the Los Angeles courtroom.
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When quizzed by Judge David Herriford about why the state waited so lengthy contemplating Megan made the allegation early within the case, Ta defined she wasn’t certain how Harris was going to testify, however as soon as she did seem to corroborate the declare on the witness stand, they determined to file.
Lanez’s protection lawyer, George Mgdesyan, objected, arguing prosecutors had identified what Harris’ testimony doubtless could be since as early as September, when she vividly recalled witnessing Tory shoot Megan in an interview with prosecutors.
Judge Herriford sided with the protection and rejected the extra fees, saying the late change would place Lanez’s authorized crew in a “difficult position” by way of placing collectively a correct response.
“I think it’s unfair at this juncture, so I would deny that motion,” the decide stated.
Tory Lanez (actual title Dayster Peterson) nonetheless faces three fees: felony assault with a semiautomatic firearm, possession of a hid, unregistered firearm and discharging a firearm with gross negligence, all of which he has pleaded not responsible to.
If convicted, he faces a most of twenty-two years and eight months in jail, in addition to subsequent deportation to his native Canada.
Tory has but to take the stand himself, however the explosive trial has seen testimony from quite a lot of people associated to the case, together with Megan Thee Stallion.
In an emotional courtroom look final week, the Houston native recounted the occasions main as much as Lanez allegedly taking pictures her 5 occasions and telling her to “dance, bitch.”
Meg admitted she and Tory had been concerned in a non-exclusive sexual relationship previous to the incident — contradicting her earlier denial about them being intimate — and defined she initially didn’t report the rapper to police for concern that cops would possibly “shoot first and ask questions later.”
The 27-year-old additionally opened up about her battle within the wake of the taking pictures, saying she has “been turned into some kind of villain,” notably among the many “boy’s club” of the rap sport.
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“This has messed up my whole life,” she instructed the jury. “I wish he would have just shot and killed me [rather than] have to go through this torture.”
Prosecutors have been hoping to strengthen their case by calling Megan’s bodyguard, Justin Edison, to the witness stand final week. Edison was anticipated to testify that Tory apologized to him for taking pictures the “Savage” rapper whereas at his rental home the day after the alleged incident.
However, the bodyguard didn’t present as much as courtroom and stays off the grid. According to TMZ, investigators paid a go to to an L.A. house on Monday in hopes of discovering Edison, however have been unable to find him. He has but to be formally thought of a “missing” individual, although.
The trial is predicted to final till not less than the top of the week.
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