Entertainment

Tory Lanez Is Not ‘Apologizing’ After Sentencing, Vows to Appeal Conviction on August 11, 2023 at 4:48 pm Us Weekly

Published

1 year ago

August 11, 2023

Tory Lanez and Megan Thee Stallion Earl Gibson/Shutterstock; Matt Baron/Shutterstock

Tory Lanez spoke out after he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting Megan Thee Stallion — and he vowed to appeal his conviction.

“I have never let a hard time intimidate me,” the rapper, 31, began in an Instagram post on Thursday, August 10. “Regardless of how they try to spin my words, I have always maintained my innocence and I always will. This week in court I took responsibility for all verbal and intimate moments that I shared with the parties involved. That’s it.”

Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, said his statements in court did not mean he was “apologizing” for the charges which he said he was “wrongfully convicted” of last year. Earlier this week, he told the judge he takes “full responsibility” for what happened, adding, “If I could change it, I would, but I can’t. … I truly am just trying to be a better person.”

On Thursday, however, he told fans to ignore those words, writing: “I remain on the stance that I refuse to apologize for something that I did not do. … This is nothing but another moment where my back is against the wall and I refuse to stop fighting till I come out victorious. Tough times don’t last, tough people do.”

Lanez received a 10-year prison sentence on Tuesday, August 8, following his December 2022 conviction for shooting Megan, 28, in both of her feet during a July 2020 altercation. He was found guilty of three felonies: assault with a semiautomatic firearm, having a loaded and unregistered firearm in a vehicle and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.

At his sentencing hearing, Lanez asked Judge David Herriford for leniency and claimed that he still cares for Megan “dearly to this day.”

Megan, for her part, did not appear in court but submitted a written statement that was read aloud by Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Kathy Ta.

“He not only shot me, he made a mockery of my trauma,” wrote Megan, whose full name is Megan Pete. “He tried to position himself as a victim and set out to destroy my character and my soul. He lied to anyone that would listen and paid bloggers to disseminate false information about the case on social media.”

Megan went on to say that she didn’t want to appear in person because she “simply could not bring [herself] to be in a room with Tory again,” adding that she has “not experienced a single day of peace” since the shooting.

Earlier this year, Megan told Elle that she “started falling into a depression” after the shooting. “I didn’t feel like making music. I was in such a low place that I didn’t even know what I wanted to rap about,” she said in April. “I wondered if people even cared anymore. There would be times that I’d literally be backstage or in my hotel, crying my eyes out, and then I’d have to pull Megan Pete together and be Megan Thee Stallion.”

She’s since gotten to “a happier place,” but she said she still struggles with anxiety. “But that’s the process of healing: It’s an ongoing process with moments of fear and uncertainty mixed in with blissful realization,” she explained. “I’ve accepted this chapter of my life as part of my journey, but I will not allow it to define my journey.”

Tory Lanez spoke out after he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting Megan Thee Stallion — and he vowed to appeal his conviction. “I have never let a hard time intimidate me,” the rapper, 31, began in an Instagram post on Thursday, August 10. “Regardless of how they try to spin my

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Entertainment

The Rising Trend of Immigrant-Driven Police Car Destruction

Published

15 hours ago

February 4, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Recent events have highlighted a concerning trend of police vehicle damage and theft during immigration-related protests. On February 3, 2025, a demonstration against federal immigration policies in Arizona’s West Valley turned violent, resulting in significant property damage and a brazen act of police vehicle theft.

Escalation of Protests

The protest, which began peacefully, escalated as the crowd grew to approximately 1,000 people. By 7:30 PM, demonstrators had taken over the intersection of 67th Avenue and Camelback Road, setting off fireworks and engaging in unruly behavior. As the situation deteriorated, some protesters began throwing rocks, concrete chunks, and glass bottles at officers.

Police Vehicle Theft and Damage

In a shocking turn of events, one protester managed to steal a police patrol vehicle. According to a Glendale Police spokesperson, the suspect “jumped into one of our patrol vehicles and drove it a short distance before it was quickly recovered”. This incident underscores the heightened tensions and bold actions taken by some demonstrators.

The damage was not limited to this single act of theft. Five marked patrol vehicles sustained significant damage, including:

Broken windows
Slashed tires
Body and hood dents

Wider Impact and Response

The unrest spread beyond law enforcement targets. Multiple civilian vehicles and area businesses also suffered damage, and a large storage container behind a business complex was set on fire. To regain control of the situation, authorities deployed chemical agents around 10:15 PM to disperse what they termed an “unlawful assembly”.

Context of Immigration Tensions

This incident occurs against the backdrop of heightened immigration enforcement efforts by the Trump administration. Recent directives have led to an aggressive increase in arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with officials aiming to detain 1,200 to 1,500 individuals daily. This policy shift has sparked protests in multiple cities across the United States, including Los Angeles, Houston, and Atlanta.

Conclusion

The theft and destruction of police vehicles during immigration protests represent a troubling escalation in civil unrest. While the majority of demonstrators express their views peacefully, these incidents highlight the potential for violence and property damage when tensions run high. Law enforcement agencies and community leaders face the challenge of balancing public safety with the right to protest as the debate over immigration policies continues to intensify.

Bolanle Media covers a wide range of topics, including film, technology, and culture. Our team creates easy-to-understand articles and news pieces that keep readers informed about the latest trends and events. If you’re looking for press coverage or want to share your story with a wider audience, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to discuss how we can help bring your news to life

Entertainment

Beyoncé Rewrites Grammy History

Published

24 hours ago

February 4, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Historic Achievements

First Black woman to win Album of the Year in the 21st century
First Black woman to win a country music award since the Pointer Sisters in 1974, winning Best Country Album for Cowboy Carter

Emotional Moment
During her Album of the Year acceptance speech, Beyoncé was initially frozen in place until her daughter Blue Ivy nudged her to approach the stage. She dedicated the award to Linda Martell, the pioneering Black country artist, saying, “I hope we keep pushing forward and opening doors.”

By the Numbers

35-time Grammy Award winner
Nominated for 11 awards this year
Won three awards total, tying with Charli XCX

Notable Quotes
“I just feel very full and very honored. It’s been many, many years,” Beyoncé said, thanking the Grammys, songwriters, collaborators, and producers. She also specifically acknowledged the Los Angeles firefighters who were present at the ceremony.

The win was particularly emotional, with fellow artists like Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish visibly moved by her historic achievement.

Entertainment

Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ Dominates 2025 Grammys

Published

1 day ago

February 4, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Kendrick Lamar dominated the 67th Grammy Awards, held on February 2, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The rapper swept all five categories he was nominated in, including the prestigious Song of the Year and Record of the Year awards for his track “Not Like Us”.

“Not Like Us,” a diss track aimed at Drake, became the de facto song of 2024 when it was released in May, topping the Billboard singles charts. The song’s success at the Grammys further solidified Lamar’s position in his long-standing rivalry with Drake, with the track winning awards for Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Music Video during the Premiere Ceremony.

Lamar’s acceptance speeches were notable for their focus on Los Angeles and its recovery efforts. During his acceptance for Record of the Year, he acknowledged various neighborhoods in Los Angeles and emphasized the ongoing wildfire recovery efforts. This aligned with the Grammy’s overall theme this year, which included raising funds for wildfire relief in the Los Angeles area.

The rapper’s victories come at a significant time in his career. Having released his album “GNX” in November, Lamar is now set to headline the Super Bowl halftime show next week. His Grammy success has further elevated his status in the hip-hop community and the music industry at large.

Lamar’s wins were not without controversy, however. The track “Not Like Us” is currently involved in a legal dispute initiated by Drake against Universal Music Group. Drake alleges that the label, which represents both him and Lamar, jeopardized his career by promoting the song.

Despite the controversy, Lamar’s clean sweep at the Grammys has cemented his place as one of the most influential and successful artists in contemporary music. His ability to combine critical acclaim with commercial success and cultural impact was on full display at this year’s ceremony.