California Supreme Court Upholds Tory Lanez's Conviction in Megan Thee Stallion Shooting
The California Supreme Court has definitively denied a petition from rapper Tory Lanez to review his criminal conviction, thereby solidifying his 10-year prison sentence for the 2020 shooting of fellow artist Megan Thee Stallion. This ruling, issued on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, marks a significant legal setback for Lanez, who has persistently claimed innocence throughout the proceedings.
Legal Proceedings and Conviction Details
According to a disposition update from the court, the denial comes three months after the California Court of Appeals affirmed the original conviction. The case originated from an incident in July 2020, when Lanez shot Megan Thee Stallion during an argument in the Hollywood Hills area. In December 2022, a jury found him guilty on multiple charges, including assault with a semiautomatic firearm, possession of a loaded unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.
The 33-year-old Canadian rapper and singer was subsequently sentenced to 10 years in prison in August 2023. Despite his ongoing assertions of wrongful conviction, all attempts to overturn the verdict or secure a new trial have been unsuccessful. Lanez is eligible for parole in August 2029, based on his current incarceration timeline.
Tory Lanez's Statements and Current Status
In a December 2025 interview with NBC News, Lanez reiterated his belief in his innocence, stating, "I believe not only that I was wrongfully convicted, but the amount of new evidence that has emerged since that trial, I think, has been overwhelming." When questioned about a message for Megan Thee Stallion, he expressed a desire for personal communication rather than public remarks, saying, "I think that I wouldn't say something directly to her; I would like that moment to happen in person. We've both gone through a lot. There's this connotation that, like I share this hatred for her, but I don't. I'm genuinely past that."
Lanez emphasized his focus on healing and accountability, adding, "I'm at a place of healing in my life. I'm at a place of taking accountability for the things that I did wrong. And when I talk about my case, I don't want it to be taken as me coming for her because it's not that. I'm just asking for somebody in the system to look at my case and look at the evidence and ask if this was fair." Currently, he is incarcerated at the California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo, California.
This latest Supreme Court decision effectively closes the door on further appeals within the state judicial system, reinforcing the legal consequences of the shooting incident that has captivated public attention for years.
