Rapper Tory Lanez’s sentencing for shooting Megan Thee Stallion has been rescheduled from Jan. 27 to Feb. 28 as his new lawyers prepare to ask the judge to grant him a new trial. This was finalized in court a few minutes ago.
Tory Lanez was brought into court in handcuffs, wearing orange jail garb, two large white necklaces with a cross on each, and a black beanie-like hat. He answered “yes your honor” when Judge Herriford asked if he wants Kenner and Barhoma to be his new lawyers.
With that, Judge Herriford authorized Kenner and Barhoma to be Tory’s lawyers, and George Mgdesyan and Shawn Holley are officially off the case. (I didn’t realize Holley was still technically Tory’s lawyer.)
Sentencing could be delayed again, depending on how long it takes for Tory’s new lawyers to get trial transcripts, which they need to prepare their motion for new trial. Deputy DA Kathy Ta said prosecutors are open to another delay if the transcripts don’t come in timely.
Kenner asked Judge Herriford to lift the protective order issued in April about what Tory can say regarding the case, saying it’s “a prior restraint on free speech” and comes as social media is inundated with commentary about the case.
Herriford said he’s already been over this, but Kenner is going to file something and the judge will consider it on Feb. 28. Kenner also asked the judge to clarify on the record what happened with Tory’s jail transport, citing media reports.
As @Nancy__Dillon reported earlier, a bailiff said Tory was refusing to be transported to court from jail, but it was actually the jail staff telling Tory a wristband was too loose, then classifying it as Tory refusing to be transported. (c.c.: @LASDHQ)
Kenner told the judge, “The media has been talking about Mr. Peterson having refused to come to court this morning.” He basically asked the judge to issue a correction from the bench. Kenner said Tory wanted to go to court, but staff said “just write it as a refusal.”
Judge Herriford clarified: “There was some mixup this morning. He was not a refusal.”
The entire court appearance lasted a few minutes. Tory looked at his supporters in the gallery, including his father and stepmother, and gave them a confident nod before he was led out.
The entire court appearance lasted a few minutes. Tory looked at his supporters in the gallery, including his father and stepmother, and gave them a confident nod before he was led out.
Tory’s new lawyer David Kenner, pictured leaving the courthouse, spoke briefly reporters.
“I look forward to litigating the motion for new trial.”
He said he knows the issues he’ll be raising “but I’m not prepared to share them at this point.”
“We are very confident though.”
“I look forward to litigating the motion for new trial.”
He said he knows the issues he’ll be raising “but I’m not prepared to share them at this point.”
“We are very confident though.”
I noticed Kelsey Harris’ lawyer at the courthouse today and didn’t think much of it because he’s a lawyer with clients other than Kelsey and the courthouse is where cases are heard. But unlike federal court calendars, it isn’t easy to see which attorneys are due in which court…
…so I emailed him. His reply:
“I was not at the courthouse on anything related to the Tory Lanez case, nor anything related to my client Kelsey Harris. It was merely a matter of coincidence I was on the 15th floor during the time the Mr. Lanez’s case was being heard today.”
“I was not at the courthouse on anything related to the Tory Lanez case, nor anything related to my client Kelsey Harris. It was merely a matter of coincidence I was on the 15th floor during the time the Mr. Lanez’s case was being heard today.”
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