Tory Lanez’s legal battle over the 2020 shooting involving Megan Thee Stallion has taken a new turn as his legal team presented fresh evidence on May 14, 2025, suggesting he may not have fired the gun that night. The Canadian rapper and singer, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence following his 2022 conviction. However, the new claims brought forward in a press conference have reignited a fierce debate over the fairness of his trial.
The press conference, organized by United the People, a nonprofit focused on social justice and prison reform, featured emotional statements from attorneys, advocates, and supporters who allege the trial was flawed, biased, and failed to consider critical forensic evidence.
“Mr. Peterson Never Touched the Gun,” Says Defense
Attorney Walter Roberts, representing Lanez, delivered a bold assertion:
“Mr. Peterson never shot anybody. Never even touched the gun.”
According to Roberts, eyewitness accounts and forensic discrepancies point to Kelsey Harris, Megan Thee Stallion’s former best friend, as the actual shooter. He explained that on the night of the July 2020 incident, Harris allegedly fired three shots at Megan during an argument, and Lanez attempted to disarm her — which led to the gun accidentally firing two more times.
DNA Evidence Raises More Questions Than Answers
One of the key revelations from Lanez’s defense team centers on DNA evidence collected from the weapon. While Lanez’s DNA was present, so were traces of unidentified DNA, which were never fully tested or matched.
“There was unknown DNA on the weapon,” said Roberts. “If only one person was ever charged and convicted, why wasn’t the full forensic testing done on everyone involved?”
The defense team is raising concern about why Lanez was the sole target of prosecution while Kelsey Harris, who was present at the scene and initially labeled as a key witness, invoked the Fifth Amendment and faced no further legal scrutiny.
Advocates Call for Fairness, Not Favoritism
Diana London, CEO of the Secret Weapon Agency and a vocal advocate for Lanez’s release, addressed the crowd passionately, emphasizing that Lanez was not asking for leniency — but for justice.
“Tory Lanez doesn’t want special treatment. He’s demanding equal treatment,” London said. “The law is meant to be impartial. The moment bias enters the courtroom, justice is denied.”
Her message resonated with the many attendees who believe Lanez’s trial may have been swayed by media pressure, celebrity culture, and the optics of high-profile cases.
Gianno Caldwell Blasts DA’s Handling of the Case
Conservative political commentator and journalist Gianno Caldwell, who has long advocated for criminal justice reform, also spoke at the press conference. He directed sharp criticism toward former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, claiming the investigation was incomplete and biased.
“Mr. Peterson was never given a fair trial, free from bias,” Caldwell said. “The DA’s office failed to perform DNA tests on all relevant parties. Why wasn’t Kelsey Harris fully investigated? Why did she plead the Fifth if she wasn’t hiding something?”
Caldwell also accused prosecutors of relying too heavily on public perception and failing to present a full picture of the events that night.
Social Media Reacts: A Deep Divide Over Who to Believe
The new developments have reignited a fierce debate online. Supporters of Megan Thee Stallion maintain that justice was served and that Tory Lanez must face the consequences of his actions. Others, however, are now demanding a retrial or at the very least a closer reexamination of the evidence.
One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote:
“If there’s other DNA on the gun and Kelsey pleaded the Fifth, why wasn’t this investigated properly in the first place?”
Another commented:
“Megan was shot. That’s not up for debate. But this new evidence could change how we view the case entirely.”
Where Things Stand Now
Lanez, who has remained relatively quiet in public since his incarceration, is reportedly preparing to file for an appeal based on the new evidence. His legal team claims they were denied access to certain evidence during the original trial, and that the media narrative unfairly swayed public opinion before all the facts were known.
Whether this new chapter in the case leads to a retrial or reduced sentence remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: the case is far from over in the eyes of Lanez’s supporters — and the questions about fairness, transparency, and accountability in high-profile celebrity trials remain at the forefront of the national conversation.
