The mother of Tory Lanez’s six-year-old son was seen sobbing in court after the rapper was sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting singer Megan Thee Stallion in the feet.
Raina Chassagne, Lanez’s baby mom, was overcome with emotion following the rapper’s sentencing on Tuesday. She was comforted by friends who spoke to her while they waited outside the courthouse by her car.
On the first day of the sentencing hearing, Chassagne emotionally pleaded for a reduced sentence, calling her ex-boyfriend an ambitious and trusting person.
Six-year-old Kai’s mother, Raina, testified to the rapper’s commitment as a father – and tried to urge the judge to consider a clemency to break the vicious cycle of black fathers being jailed and therefore separated from their children.
However, their pleas were unsuccessful. Lanez was sentenced to a decade in prison.
Raina Chassagne, Kai’s mother and Tory Lanez’s baby mum, was overcome with emotion following the rapper’s ten-year sentencing on Tuesday. She was comforted by friends who spoke to her while they waited outside the courthouse by her car
Tory Lanez is carrying his son Kai out of court during his trial over the December 2022 Megan Thee Stallion shooting. He brought his young child into the courtroom several times. The child must now visit his father in prison
During the December trial, Tory Lanez appeared in court with his son Kai, got out of the car he was traveling in and lifted the boy out in his arms.
He was seen adjusting the boy’s suit and then entered the courtroom together.
After the day in court, he executed it as well, saying, “He’s my support system and I belong to him too.”
It’s unclear how Chassagne and Lanez met or how they were raised together up to this point.
At his sentencing hearing yesterday, convicted Canadian musician Lanez said that despite the outcome, the victim Megan “is someone who is dear to my heart to this day”.
Lanez, real name Daystar Peterson, said of the shooting that landed him behind bars for a decade, “I said some very immature things that I shouldn’t have said.”
“I revealed some secrets that I shouldn’t have revealed.”
Raina Chassagne was seen outside court after Tory Lanez, the father of her child, was sentenced
She was comforted by an entourage of people outside the court
Daystar Peterson, known as Tory Lanez, and his son depart the Los Angeles Superior Courthouse on December 22, 2022
The rapper often took his six-year-old son to court and was spotted carrying him in and out during the trial. Many felt this was a strategic move
The verdict ends a dramatic trial that has sparked a cultural firestorm in the hip-hop community.
The rapper, who wore a black beanie, was handcuffed in his orange prison jumpsuit as Judge David Herriford of Los Angeles Superior Court returned the verdict.
The judge denied the probation requested by Lanez’s defense.
Before Lanez was sentenced to 10 years in prison, he begged the judge not to send him to prison.
In a 15-minute speech, the musician said, “Give me an alternative that isn’t prison.” I can be a much better man in my community.
“I don’t stand before you as a celebrity.” I appreciate her as a sincere person who wants a chance. My child needs me – I want to improve. I want to show the world that the man you see here today is not the real me.
“I don’t expect any preferential treatment.” But, Your Honor, I really, wholeheartedly ask you to put me to the test and give me a chance.
“There were these misconceptions about me being this monster and having no regrets. But that’s just not true.
Lanez’ baby mom is seen emotionally talking to a group of friends
She puts her head in another man’s arms after Tory Lanez’s 10-year sentence was announced
“Everyone was drunk that night, I said some very immature things… I was wrong.” If I could turn back the clock I would… My apologies.
“I take responsibility for everything I did that night.” I ask you for a chance to be a better father, a better mentor. I ask that you judge me not just on this case, but on the full scope of my life.
“I have a habit disorder – I want to be a better person.”
On the final day of Lanez’s 10-day trial on December 23 last year, a jury of seven women and five men unanimously convicted the rapper of three felonies.
He was found guilty of assault with a semi-automatic firearm, reckless firing of a firearm, and carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle.
The assault carried a sentence of up to nine years in prison, a negligent firing of a weapon conviction of up to three years, and a concealed weapon conviction of three years.
Daystar Peterson’s trial in Los Angeles. Peterson is known professionally as Tory Lanez
Megan Thee Stallion had three bullet fragments surgically removed from her foot. She is pictured in court for Lanez’s trial in December
In her emotional testimony at the trial, 28-year-old Megan told jurors that she and Lanez got into an argument before he shot her in the foot
Megan posted a photo of her foot injury after the shooting on Instagram
Because the jury also found that Lanez caused “grievous bodily harm” — Megan had three bullet fragments surgically removed from her feet — the felonies of assault and negligent shooting were given higher penalties.
The musician had previously pleaded not guilty to all three counts.
In her emotional testimony at the trial, 28-year-old Megan told jurors that she and Lanez – with whom she had a sexual relationship – attended a pool party at Kylie Jenner’s home on July 12, 2020 and stayed at his home were having SUVs in the Hollywood Hills with Kelsey Harris when an alcohol-related argument broke out.
Megan – real name Megan Pete – asked the driver to stop the car and she got out – after which she said Lanez yelled “dance b***h” and fired a gun at her five times, causing her to hit so badly Feet hurt that she had to have surgery.
She testified in court that Lanez offered her and Harris $1 million to keep the shooting quiet and asked them not to report him because he was already “on probation.”
Megan also said that Lanez later apologized to her and said he was intoxicated at the time of the shooting.
Megan Thee Stallion performs on stage at LA Pride in the Park at Los Angeles State Historic Park on June 9, 2023
Lanez had been trying to get a retrial for the past eight months. His applications were rejected by a judge.
In making his decision Tuesday, the judge considered two “aggravating factors” identified by prosecutors that warranted increased sentences — the fact that Lanez used a gun and that his victim, Megan, was “particularly vulnerable or defenseless.” ‘
But Judge Herriford found that prosecutors had failed to establish a third aggravating factor – that Lanez had displayed “cruelty, viciousness or callousness” towards Megan, although Assistant District Attorney Alex Bott argued that he had “utterly disregard for human life.” ‘ and ‘With less luck it would be a murder case.’
Lanez’s attorneys claimed he posed no danger to society and that probation, psychiatric therapy and treatment for alcohol abuse were a better solution than jail time.
Canadian-born Lanez will now be sent to prison for 10 years
And if parole is unacceptable, his prison sentence cannot exceed three years, it said.
But while Judge Herriford said he considered Lanez’s “multiple philanthropic endeavors” and his clean record to date, on Tuesday he dismissed the defense’s arguments.
The judge told the court that he was having trouble reconciling Lanez’s “philanthropic and talented” personality with the man convicted of gun violence.
“Sometimes good people do bad things,” the judge said.
He dismissed the defense’s claim that Lanez’s mental state was partly responsible for the shooting due to childhood trauma.
While alcohol was involved, Judge Herriford said that evening: “It is clear that the (shooting) incident was the result of an argument – I see no connection between a mental disorder and the offence.”
Early Tuesday, defense attorney Matthew Barhoma criticized prosecutors for the “inequality of seeking a 13-year sentence,” which he added “represents quite a departure from LA DA’s own sentencing policy.”
“That inequality is sought just because he is Tory Lanez.” The fact that he is Tory Lanez is not a reason to seek an extension of his sentence. The prosecutor takes action.’
He argued that his client had not been involved in any previous violent crime and that the prosecutor’s request for an increase in sentence from 10 to 13 years “should be dismissed” because the shooting was linked to Lanez’s mental illness resulting from childhood trauma. and his alcohol abuse.
But prosecutor Bott countered, “This case has nothing to do with mental illness,” and said Lanez shot Megan for insulting his musical ability during their drunken argument. “This violent shooting was aimed at his bruised ego.”
Prosecutors are seeking an increased sentence, Bott said, because the shooting related to Megan’s “grievous bodily harm.”
“He fired the gun five times and hit the victim twice – he could have killed her.”
Bott’s co-prosecutor, DDA Kathy Ta, added that they sought the increased sentence because of Lanez’s “life threat and callousness, his lack of accountability … his brazen contempt for court and the safety of the victim … and his behavior toward the victim thereafter.” ‘
Tory Lanez was featured in a mugshot in 2017 after she was arrested for another incident
When asked by the judge why prosecutors were asking for 13 years in prison instead of 10, Ta replied that anything else “would endanger public safety.”
Defense attorney Ed Welbourn appointed clinical psychologist Dr. Stephanie Herring took the stand to speak about Lanez’s alcohol abuse, and she said Tory told her he “drank up to a fifth of Petron tequila a night… to numb.”
“Is there a connection between his alcoholism and the shooting?” Welbourn asked. “Absolutely,” replied Dr. herring
But DDA Bott hit back, saying, “There is not a single document showing he was ever under treatment…for alcoholism.” We have no confirmation of this.
“It’s just a strategy.” Once again, (Lanez) is doing everything he can to avoid being held accountable.’
Lanez’s defense team spent several hours Monday and Tuesday calling witnesses who sang praises to his clients and recounted his many acts of kindness and charity.
And after showing multiple videos Tuesday showing Lanez’s philanthropic activities, DDA Bott sneered, “I felt like I was here for the Man of the Year award.”
“It doesn’t take much to donate to charity when you’re a man of great wealth…”
“We are here today because of a heinous act of violence against a defenseless woman.” Then he sent her through hell for two years.
“These are not the actions of a good, brave man, but of a misogynist and coward.”
“He’s asking the court for mercy.” But where was the mercy for Megan?’