The highly publicized trial between Megan Thee Stallion and Tory Lanez has begun. Here is a rundown of all of the details that are currently known.
On the night of July 12, 2020, Stallion, her bodyguard, Kelsey Harris, and Lanez were riding around LA when an argument happened. As the details are still being sorted out, we do not know exactly what the argument was about. However, Lanez’s defense team is suggesting that it was between Stallion and Harris concerning Stallion’s jealousy of Kylie Jenner. The group was partying with her earlier in the day. The defense is trying to suggest that the shooter was Harris.
Both Stallion and Harris claim that Lanez is the shooter. Stallion even claims that Lanez yelled “Dance, bitch!” as he shot her in the foot. However, this is something that Lanez denies happening.
Harris had texted the bodyguard that Lanez had shot Stallion and to call 911. When the police showed up, she claimed that she was wounded by broken glass. When asked about it later, she said that she did not want the police to act erratically. Tory Lanez was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon.
After the incident, up to the trial
Hours later, Lanez had texted Stallion, apologizing to her. However, he claims that he was apologizing for cheating on her. He has since claimed the two were dating before, and he was caught cheating. This is going directly against Stallion’s words back in April, where she claimed that they were not seeing each other like that.
In August 2020, Stallion went to social media to confirm that Lanez had shot her that night. He was charged with one felony count of assault with a semiautomatic firearm—personal use of a firearm—and carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle. Lanez pleads not guilty, something that he maintains to this day.
In April, he was taken back into custody after he violated a restraining order on the case. In an unrelated case, Lanez was sentenced to house arrest.
On December 12, the Megan Thee Stallion trial had begun.
Good morning from the criminal courts building in downtown L.A., where opening statements are due to begin soon in Tory Lanez’s felony assault trial.
Lanez is accused of shooting at Megan Thee Stallion, wounding her in both feet, after shouting “Dance, bitch” in July 2020. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/dbdmsI9gYm
— Nancy Dillon (@Nancy__Dillon) December 12, 2022
Lanez denies being shooter
Megan will testify & is adamant she saw Lanez fire
Lanez’s atty plans to present theory Megan’s former best friend Kelsey Harris could have discharged gun
(Both Lanez & Harris tested+ for GSR… it travels in small spaces)
Harris also due to testify
— Nancy Dillon (@Nancy__Dillon) December 12, 2022
Prosecutor said in opening statement that Kelsey Harris will testify that she “saw her close friend get shot by the defendant.”
— Nancy Dillon (@Nancy__Dillon) December 12, 2022
Prosecutor Alexander Bott showed visual of a series of text messages that Kelsey Harris sent Megan's bodyguard at 4:27 a.m., roughly five minutes after the shooting:
"Help"
"Tory shot Meg"
911"— Nancy Dillon (@Nancy__Dillon) December 12, 2022
Lanez's lawyer George Mgdesyan said the case is about "jealousy," suggesting the fight started because Megan was jealous of Kylie Jenner
He pushed theory Harris may have been the shooter & said no one beyond Megan heard "Dance, bitch"
He also said Corey Gamble will testify
— Nancy Dillon (@Nancy__Dillon) December 12, 2022
In 2nd half of closing, Mgdesyan said Lanez wasn't apologizing for shooting in jail call
He apologized to Harris for "cheating on her" … "having a sexual relationship with both of them," atty said
Lawyer said DNA, fingerprints not run for Harris on gun, so "we'll never know"
— Nancy Dillon (@Nancy__Dillon) December 12, 2022
Tory Lanez leaving day 1 of felony assault trial over claims he shot Megan Thee Stallion in both feet in July 2020 pic.twitter.com/JB4zDTlUjJ
— Nancy Dillon (@Nancy__Dillon) December 13, 2022
Written by Justin Acosta