Tory Lanez, the disgraced rapper, has exhausted all his options for freedom. He is now awaiting his sentencing in the shooting case involving Megan Thee Stallion. Lanez and his team attempted to have the judge disqualified. However, a new order was handed down today rejecting that request. Judge David Herriford initially stated that there were no facts or circumstances requiring his disqualification or recusal in the case. The Appellate Court also confirmed that the judge had done nothing to warrant his removal. The Appellate Court's decision stated that the petition was denied due to a failure to demonstrate entitlement to extraordinary relief.
Earlier, Lanez's lawyers, Matthew Barhoma and Jose Baez, filed a motion to disqualify Judge Herriford. They had accused him of showing favoritism to the prosecution. Herriford presided over Lanez's two-week trial in December. As most know, it resulted in his conviction on three felony counts related to the 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion. The judge also denied Lanez's motion for a new trial in May. In their petition, filed after the dismissal of their new trial motion, Barhoma and Baez cited several instances of Herriford's alleged partiality during a hearing in the previous month. They claimed that the judge directed them to present arguments in the order he preferred. Additionally, they say he did not allow witnesses for live testimony and interrupted and cut them off during arguments.
Tory Lanez Could Be Facing 22 Years, Prosecution Seeking 12 Year Sentence
Prosecutors in Los Angeles are reportedly seeking a 13-year prison sentence for Tory Lanez. Lanez was convicted of three felony charges in December. The rapper could face a maximum sentence of 22 years and eight months. A memorandum filed by the prosecution highlights Lanez's use of words and his online presence. They say that he has re-traumatized the victim through his posts over the course of three years. The memo argues that Lanez's global reach and the impact of his words have contributed to the victim's re-traumatization. As such, they want to hold him responsible for the effect of his actions. The document also mentions Lanez's album, Daystar. It references the shooting in its lyrics. as well as his attack on August Alsina in September 2022.
The prosecution's memo comes after Lanez and his legal team attempted to disqualify Judge David Herriford, accusing him of favoritism. Herriford presided over Lanez's trial in December and recently rejected his motion for a new trial. In response to the accusations, Herriford stated that his rulings were based on presented facts and arguments and that his actions were in line with his judicial duties. Lanez's sentencing is scheduled for June 13.
[Via]