Jury begins deliberations to decide whether Tory Lanez shot Megan Thee Stallion – National

Jurors began deliberations Thursday at the trial of rapper Tory Lanez, who is accused of shooting and injuring hip-hop star Megan Thee Stallion in the leg.

The jury of seven women and five men deliberated for just over three hours after hearing the final part of the defense’s closing argument beginning the day before and a brief rebuttal from prosecutors. member of Los Angeles County.

They failed to reach a verdict and will return on Friday to resume talks on three felony charges against the 30-year-old Canadian rapper, who has pleaded not guilty: negligent shooting, assault with a gun. semi-automatic and carry a gun. loaded, unregistered gun in the vehicle. The charges can lead to up to 22 years in prison and deportation.

Megan Thee Stallion, 27, whose legal name is Megan Pete, testified that Lanez shot a pistol in the back of her leg and yelled at her to jump as she stepped out of the SUV they drove in the Hollywood Hills during summer 2020. She needs surgery to remove the shrapnel from her leg.

In the final argument, prosecutors emphasized the courage she needed to come forward and the bitterness she faced because of it. They say she has no incentive to tell anything but the truth.

Lanez’s attorney ultimately alleges that the shots were actually fired by Kelsey Harris, Megan’s then-best friend during a jealous fight with Lanez, who tried to stop the shooting. The attorney, George Mgdesyan, accused Megan of creating a more sympathetic narrative by pinning the shooting to Lanez.

Harris denied being the shooter and had previously identified Lanez as the gunman. Her attorney, in an email, declined to comment on her involvement.

The jury on Thursday asked to reread the testimony of the only direct witness unrelated to the incident, a man on a nearby balcony with his children, who said he was worried. for their safety made it impossible for him to keep a close eye on them.

Sean Kelly was called by the defense, but both sides argued that his account was in their favor. He said he had seen flashes of gunfire that appeared to come from a woman, but also said he had seen a small man “shooting everywhere”.

Lanez – whose legal name is Daystar Peterson – began releasing mixtape in 2009 and, seeing growing popularity, moved into major label albums. His last two songs reached the top 10 on the Billboard charts.

Megan Thee Stallion was a huge rising star at the time of shooting, and her prominence has increased since then. She won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2021 and has a number one Billboard Hot 100 single with her own song “Savage,” featuring Beyonce and a guest on “WAP.” by Cardi B.

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