As Tory Lanez (real name Daystar Peterson) prepares to be sentenced in the Megan Thee Stallion shooting case, his attorneys are maintaining the rapper’s innocence while calling for him to receive probation.
However, Tory’s lawyers state that — “assuming the allegations are true” — his rough upbringing and alcohol abuse would’ve played a role. As such, they’re calling for Judge David Herriford to release Tory Lanez into a treatment program to address these issues.
RELATED: Prosecutors Seek 13-Year Sentence For Tory Lanez, Say He Used ‘Campaign Of Misinformation’ To ‘Re-Traumatize’ Megan Thee Stallion
Attorneys Say Tory Lanez Could Be Providing “Support For Underserved Communities” If He Were Free
According to Legal Affairs and Trials with Meghann Cuniff, Tory’s lawyers — Jose Baez and Ed Welbourn — filed a 41-page memo on Tuesday (Aug. 1) declaring, “The interests of justice would best be served if Mr. Peterson is granted probation.”
In support of this stance, the attorneys say that, even if Lanez were guilty, his “childhood trauma and mental illness” would have contributed to “the commission of the offense.”
“Assuming the allegations are true, Mr. Peterson’s psychological, physical, and childhood trauma was a factor in the commission of the offense. Likewise, the current offense is connected to Mr. Peterson’s childhood trauma and mental illness, alcohol-use disorder.”
Additionally, Meghann Cuniff reports that Baez and Welbourn mentioned Tory Lanez’s “charitable activities” within the memo. In fact, his attorneys suggested that Lanez would be on his Mother Teresa grind if he weren’t behind bars, as they said he’d “be able to resume his charitable activities and provide much needed support for underserved communities in Los Angeles and beyond.”
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Peterson established the Tory Lanez Dream City Fund to assist struggling families. Prior to his incarceration, Mr. Peterson was beginning the process of founding Confidential Pharma, an independent pharmacy providing affordable access to healthcare for underserved communities in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Due to Mr. Peterson’s incarceration, however, Confidential Pharma was unable to open its doors and currently remains in limbo.”
Ultimately, the rapper’s attorneys said the situation “is an unusual case in which the interests of justice would best be served if Mr. Peterson is granted probation.”
The Defense Team Suggests A Three-Year Sentence As A Backup Plan
While Tory’s attorneys call for the rapper to receive probation, prosecutors previously recommended a much heavier punishment.
As The Shade Room reported, prosecutors accused Tory of waging a “campaign of misinformation” to “re-traumatize” Megan Thee Stallion. In light of this sentiment, the prosecution recommended that Judge Herriford sentence Tory Lanez to 13 years behind bars.
Within her latest report on the case, Meghann Cuniff notes that — if Tory’s attorneys can’t get the court to release him on probation — they’re countering prosecutors’ 13-year recommendation with a three-year suggestion. Okay, backup plan!
Furthermore, Tory’s defense team also calls the evidence against Tory “questionable at best.” As such, they say that the “FeRRis WhEEL” artist’s alleged “lack of remorse” shouldn’t impact his sentence.
Tory Lanez is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday, Aug. 7. Stay tuned for updates.
