Tory Lanez's First Attorney Advised Him Against Blaming Kelsey Harris For Shooting Megan Thee Stallion: Report

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2022 Parlor Games Celebrity Basketball Classic
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 30: Tory Lanez attends the 2022 Parlor Games Celebrity Basketball Classic at the Cox Pavilion on April 30, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Greg Doherty/Getty Images)
Unsealed documents reveal Tory Lanez's first lawyer told him blaming Kelsey Harris for the Megan Thee Stallion shootingwasn't a "viable strategy."

The former attorneys of Tory Lanez advised him against blaming Kelsey Harris for the shooting of Megan Thee Stallion. A new report from Legal Affairs & Trials with Meghann Cuniff reveals newly unsealed communication between Lanez and his former attorney, Shawn Holley. Holley advised him against using the “Kelsie defense.” “As we discussed on Saturday, I am not comfortable advancing the ‘Kelsie Defense’ , primarily because I don’t find it to be a viable strategy,” Holley told Lanez via e-mail on Nov. 21 2022.

However, she said that the only way this argument could even possibly be effective in court is if Jaquan Smith, testifies. “Even if both of those benchmarks (Quan/you) were to be satisfied, I am still not certain that I would be willing to go forward,” Holley said. “In light of that, you should discuss with George his willingness and ability to move forward with that defense and if he can do so by the trial date.” Holley is referring to George Mgdesyan, the defense attorney that argued Kelsey shot at Megan Thee Stallion, not Tory.

Tory Lanez Documents Unsealed After Waiving Attorney-Client Privilege

The slew of emails between Tory and Holley arrives after Lanez waived his attorney-client privilege. This came at the advice of his new attorneys, Matthew Barhoma and Jose Baez. In Baez and Barhoma’s latest attempt for a re-trial, they argued that Holley provided inadequate assistance of counsel. Baez and Barhoma believed Holley faced personal conflict in the case as prosecutors accused her of trying to bribe Harris. 

However, it became an even bigger issue since Holley helped prepare Mgdesyan for the trial. Overall, Tory’s defense believes that is a blatant violation of Lanez’s right to counsel. Meanwhile, prosecutors said they never formally accused Holley of such acts. She later said in an email sent to Tory three days before closing arguments that she withdraw from the case. Holley said she could be under fire after Harris suggested that she was involved in the alleged bribery. Holley said it was due to Harris’ statements suggesting that she “was somehow involved in facilitating an arrangement between you and she whereby you would finance her business (or something like that) in order to curry favor with her.” 

Shawn Holley Withdraws From Case

“You and I both know that this never happened,” Holley said. “In any event, the fact that these false allegations have been made about me — and that they are now evidence in the case — makes it a conflict (as an ethical/legal matter) for me to continue to represent you and, as a result, I am obligated to withdraw as your attorney.” 

She added that she would file her withdrawal underseal. “So it will not be part of the official court file or record,” she said. Still, Holley explained that Megan’s attorney, Alex Spiro, was investigating “Kelsey having being ‘compromised.” Apparently, Spiro wants to investigate the matter, asking Holley, George and Kelsey’s attorney to “preserve all communications.” However, she said, “we still not give in to his demands and we find them improper.” 

About The Author
Aron A. is a features editor for HotNewHipHop. Beginning his tenure at HotNewHipHop in July 2017, he has comprehensively documented the biggest stories in the culture over the past few years. Throughout his time, Aron’s helped introduce a number of buzzing up-and-coming artists to our audience, identifying regional trends and highlighting hip-hop from across the globe. As a Canadian-based music journalist, he has also made a concerted effort to put spotlights on artists hailing from North of the border as part of Rise & Grind, the weekly interview series that he created and launched in 2021. Aron also broke a number of stories through his extensive interviews with beloved figures in the culture. These include industry vets (Quality Control co-founder Kevin "Coach K" Lee, Wayno Clark), definitive producers (DJ Paul, Hit-Boy, Zaytoven), cultural disruptors (Soulja Boy), lyrical heavyweights (Pusha T, Styles P, Danny Brown), cultural pioneers (Dapper Dan, Big Daddy Kane), and the next generation of stars (Lil Durk, Latto, Fivio Foreign, Denzel Curry). Aron also penned cover stories with the likes of Rick Ross, Central Cee, Moneybagg Yo, Vince Staples, and Bobby Shmurda.
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