In a decisive blow to his legal fight, Tory Lanez has had his appeal denied by a California appellate court, thereby upholding his December 2022 conviction for the July 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion.
What the Court Ruled
A three-judge panel from the California 2nd District Court of Appeal reviewed Lanez’s arguments contesting multiple trial-court decisions—including the admission of testimony, social-media evidence, and a photograph of Lanez shirtless. The panel rejected all grounds for reversal, stating that the evidence against him was sufficient and that the trial court’s legal rulings did not constitute reversible error. Los Angeles Times+1
Convictions & Sentence
Lanez (legal name Daystar Peterson) was found guilty in 2022 on three felony counts: assault with a semi-automatic firearm, possessing a loaded unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. He was later sentenced to 10 years in state prison.
The Broader Impact
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The ruling ends this immediate appellate avenue and forces Lanez to serve his full term unless a further appeal to the California Supreme Court is accepted.
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For Megan Thee Stallion, the decision is seen as a legal vindication of her testimony and the trauma she suffered.
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In hip-hop culture and public discussion, the case has become emblematic of conversations around violence against women, accountability in celebrity culture, and the power dynamics within music industry relationships.
Tory Lanez loses appeal in Megan Thee Stallion shooting case, upholding his 10-year sentence:
“We find no prejudicial error and, accordingly, affirm [Lanez’s] conviction”
(https://t.co/Q2sl7WO5cE) pic.twitter.com/RSkk0OUS1P
— Pop Base (@PopBase) November 12, 2025
What Comes Next
While this appeal has been rejected, Lanez’s legal team may still petition for review by the state’s highest court. Whether or not that petition is accepted remains uncertain. Meanwhile, he will remain in custody until at least the next eligible phase for review or parole.
