As it happened: Tory Lanez jailed for 10 years over Megan Thee Stallion shooting

We'll be bringing our live coverage to a close soon, here's a summary of what's happened.

• Tory Lanez, a 31-year-old Canadian rapper whose real name is Daystar Peterson, was sentenced on Tuesday afternoon to 10 years in prison
• He was convicted of three felonies in December 2022: assault with a semi-automatic firearm, having a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle and discharging a firearm with gross negligence
• The charges stem from an incident in July 2020, where Lanez shot rapper Megan Thee Stallion in the foot during an argument after a pool party hosted by Kylie Jenner
• On Monday, a written statement from Megan Thee Stallion said she has "not experienced a single day of peace" since the shooting
• During his sentencing, Lanez said he considered Megan Thee Stallion to be his friend but admits "I did wrong that night"
• Prosecutors asked the judge for a 13-year sentence, while Lanez's defence asked for probation
• Lanez's lawyer said his client plans to appeal the prison sentence

Mona Shafer EdwardsCopyright: Mona Shafer Edwards

During the trial, the jury heard that during the drive home from Kylie Jenner’s pool party on the night of July 11, 2020, Megan Thee Stallion insulted Tory Lanez‘s musical talent.

As the argument escalated, she demanded to be let out of the car. Megan testified that she heard Lanez shout “dance" before he fired five rounds at her.

The court heard she left a trail of blood at the scene, before getting back into the vehicle, which was stopped minutes later by police.

A gun that was still warm to the touch was found near where Lanez had been sitting.

Megan testified Lanez had offered her $1m (£780,000) to keep quiet about the attack because he claimed to be on probation for a weapons offence.

Minutes after the shooting, another passenger texted Megan Thee Stallion's security detail, saying: "Help... Tory shot meg."

• Read more here

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It's a case that has divided fans and spilled out into the wider hip-hop world, with artists like 50 Cent and Drake getting involved.

Megan Thee Stallion criticised Drake when he released Circo Loco, a collab with 21 Savage that appeared to reference the shooting case in its lyrics.

50 Cent shared memes depicting Megan and Tory Lanez as fictional characters, and he compared Megan to Jussie Smollett, the former Empire actor who was found guilty of falsely claiming he was the victim of a hate crime.

He eventually apologised saying he changed his mind after hearing evidence from the trial.

But she did receive support from fellow artists, like JoJo and Kehlani.

The pair removed Tory Lanez from their albums, with Kehlani saying she had to “do the right thing” because the situation involved her close friend Megan.

Tanishia Wright, Director of Victim Services at the Los Angeles District Attorney's office, extended her "sincere condolences" to Megan Thee Stallion "for the pain and the trauma that she had to experience over the last few years".

"Violence against black women and girls is a long standing national epidemic that has long been overlooked and under-reported," Wright says.

"Women of colour more times than not do not come forward to report victimisation due to the fear they will not be believed," she adds.

Wright says that no victim should feel like they are being attacked or slammed through social media because they were brave enough to come forward.

"Please know that your feelings are valid and that you matter," Wright says to other victims who may be watching.

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

Reacting to the verdict at a news conference, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said Tory Lanez has tried to silence and intimidate Megan Thee Stallion to keep her from sharing her truth.

He adds that Megan Thee Stallion remained strong "despite the physical violence, verbal attacks and attempts at public humiliation".

"The fact that (Megan) is a successful entertainer has brought an important spotlight on the issue of violence against women," Gascón said.

He says that many women like Megan feel afraid to come forward about their own experiences with abuse. He said he hopes that she has inspired other women by being vocal.

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

Jose Baez, Tory Lanez's lawyer, says his client plans to appeal the 10-year prison sentence.

"There are significant issues... that we've laid out in our motion for a new trial," Baez said outside court moments ago.

He references arguments like a lack of DNA evidence against Lanez in relation to the shooting, saying that the rapper's DNA was not found on the gun used.

Baez adds that he believes Lanez did not receive a fair trial.

Mona Shafer EdwardsCopyright: Mona Shafer Edwards

Tory Lanez was convicted of three felonies in December 2022: assault with a semi-automatic firearm, having a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.

Freelance court journalist Meghann Cuniff in Los Angeles reports that Lanez spoke for several minutes after the sentence was handed down.

Lanez said that Megan Thee Stallion is "someone I still care for dearly to this day".

"I said some very immature things that I shouldn't have said. I revealed some secrets I shouldn't have revealed," Lanez adds about the incident.

After a drawn out sentencing hearing he has now received a 10-year prison sentence from the judge. Prosecutors asked for 13 years, while Lanez's defence asked for probation.

Mona Shafer EdwardsCopyright: Mona Shafer Edwards

We are still waiting to learn what prison sentence Tory Lanez will receive after being convicted on three charges in December 2022 over the shooting of Megan Thee Stallion.

The sentencing hearing has now stretched into its second day. Here's a catch-up of what happened on Monday:

• The judge read out summaries of letters from more than 70 people in support of Lanez, including his six-year-old son and Australian rapper Iggy Azalea
• A chaplain of the court jail made a plea on Lanez's behalf, saying he was an outstanding inmate
• Lanez's father also addressed the judge, apologising for an outburst he had in court when his son was found guilty last year

The prosecution is asking for a sentence of 13 years. Lanez's team is fighting for rehabilitation over prison time.

The court in California has just adjourned for lunch.

They will be back in just over an hour to continue the sentencing hearing for Tory Lanez.

We will also be back then with the latest from court.

11 July 2020:

• Kylie Jenner throws a Hollywood party. Megan Thee Stallion and Tory Lanez are among the exclusive invitees

12 July 2020:

• In the early hours, Megan Thee Stallion and Lanez drive home and an argument starts. Megan testified that it began when she mocked his musical talents. She demanded to be let out of the car and Lanez opened fire, hitting her in the foot
• Police conduct a traffic stop and arrest Lanez. He is released on bail later that day
• Megan goes to hospital where doctors find bullet fragments in her foot and she undergoes surgery
• Megan initially tells police she was injured by broken glass, allegedly because she was embarrassed and traumatised, court documents say

15 July 2020

• Megan releases a statement detailing a shooting, but does not name Lanez

20 August 2020

• On Instagram, Megan speaks about the night of the shooting and accuses Lanez as the culprit

9 October 2020

• Lanez is charged over the incident

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Megan Thee Stallion - whose legal name is Megan Pete - is a 28-year-old US singer, songwriter and rapper.

She has won three Grammy Awards for her music, including Best New Artist in 2021.

The artist also won the Best Rap Song Grammy for Savage Remix with Beyonce in the same year.

Savage Remix reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, as did her collaboration with Cardi B on WAP.

Megan has also worked with Nicki Minaj and Ty Dollar $ign.

In the prosecution's submission to the judge they argue Tory Lanez should be punished for his campaign to discredit Megan Thee Stallion as well as for shooting her in the first place.

The prosecution asked the judge for a sentence of 13 years for shooting a "vulnerable victim" in the quiet residential street and waging a "campaign to humiliate and re-traumatise" her.

His "worldwide reach" of millions of followers were "emboldened" by his statements, prosecutors said.

So, will he get 13 years? Or will the judge choose to put him behind bars for less time?

We are expecting to hear from the LA District Attorney's office, which is prosecuting Lanez, at around 13:00 local time, which is in a little under two hours time.

You can watch the press conference live on their instagram page.

After Tory Lanez shot Megan Thee Stallion in the feet in July 2020, she said she had to have surgery that same night.

Months after the incident, Megan said she still "could not walk" and had "bullet fragments in my feet".

The emotional trauma that she says still remains was detailed in a victim impact statement read by the Los Angeles County deputy district attorney on Monday in court.

"Slowly but surely, I'm healing and coming back, but I will never be the same," her letter said.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Tory Lanez, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, is a 31-year-old Canadian rapper.

His songs include The Color Violet and Hurts Me.

Lanez has been in prison since December 2022 after he was convicted of three charges over the shooting of Megan Thee Stallion:

• Assault with a semiautomatic firearm
• Having a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle
• Discharging a firearm with gross negligence

He has continued to release music while in prison. Today, he will learn his prison sentence.

Today's sentencing hearing of Tory Lanez is due to start any moment now.

There are no cameras allowed in the courtroom but we will bring you updates as soon as we learn them.

We are expecting the judge to hand down a sentence today, after a delay in the proceedings yesterday.

Prosecutors want a sentence of 13 years, however Lanez's defence says he needs rehabilitation rather than prison time.

We were expecting Tory Lanez's prison sentence to be read aloud in court on Monday, but it was not.

A press conference with the Los Angeles District Attorney was scheduled, postponed, and eventually cancelled when it became clear the sentencing would not be announced on Monday.

The reason for this is likely due to the judge receiving more than 70 letters in support of Lanez. They were written by family and friends (including one by rapper Iggy Azalea).

Witnesses also spoke in court on Monday.

Lanez's father talked emotionally about how the death of the rapper's mother when he was 11 had left a lasting impact.

And a prison chaplain spoke in his favour, saying Lanez had been leading daily prayer groups.

Sonstar Peterson/ FacebookCopyright: Sonstar Peterson/ Facebook