Tory Lanez and Megan Thee Stallion.Photo: Jerod Harris/Getty, Rodin Eckenroth/Getty
Upon denying the motion, FOX 11 reported that Herriford said, “The court finds no error, prosecutorial misconduct or newly discovered evidence.”
Tory Lanez.Leon Bennett/Getty
During the lengthy hearing on Monday, per the outlets, Baez and co-counsel Matthew Barhoma asked for several recesses, complained about Herriford’s handling of their defense claims and argued against the judge for not allowing for more witnesses and exhibits in Lanez’s defense.
Per FOX 11, Lanez’s lawyer also said his former attorney George Mgdesyan “failed” the rapper due to lack of preparation time and claimed the original 10-day trial “was a jumbled, bungled mess.”
Therequest for a new trial was filed last month, with Baez and Barhoma claiming that the use of an Instagram post and photo of the rapper’s gun tattoo as evidence was prejudicial to Lanez, according to the outlet.
After the motion was denied, Lanez reportedly told Herriford, “Your honor, please don’t ruin my life.”
Megan Thee Stallion (L); Tory Lanez.P. Lehman/Barcroft Media via Getty; Cassidy Sparrow/Getty
The rapper’s sentencing date has not yet been set. He faces up to 22 years and eight months in prison and has been in jail since the verdict was read in December.
Last month, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office (which is prosecuting the case) reportedly filed a motion urging the judge to deny the request for a new trial. “We have full faith and confidence in our trial team and are pleased with the court’s ruling in the matter,” said the office in a statement after the denial on Tuesday, perKABC.
Also in April, Lanezposted on Instagramto share a statement directed toward Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, claiming he was “wrongfully convicted of a crime I did not commit.”
He said in an audio recording also shared to Instagram at the time, “Mr. Gascón, I come to you today as a wrongfully convicted Black man, not asking for sympathy, nor compassion, but for you to simply do what is fair and right in the laws of California, and most importantly in the eyes of God.”
Megan Thee Stallion.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
In an interview withEllelast month, Megan (born Megan Pete)spoke out about Lanez’s conviction for the first timein a personal essay.
She added of the verdict, “It was more than just vindication for me, it was a victory for every woman who has ever been shamed, dismissed, and blamed for a violent crime committed against them.”
source: people.com
