Rapper Tory Lanez has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for the shooting incident involving Megan Thee Stallion in 2020. As the legal proceedings reached their conclusion, Megan’s emotional statement, read in court by prosecutors, highlighted the torment she endured and her unwavering demand for justice.
While Megan did not appear in person at the hearing, her words resonated powerfully as Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Kathy Ta read out the pre-written statement on Monday. Addressing Lanez’s actions and the subsequent trauma she endured, Megan emphasized the need for accountability.
READ MORE: Ireland Mourns the Loss of Sinéad O’Connor: A Farewell Filled with Music and Memories
The “Savage” rapper expressed her struggle to overcome the psychological aftermath of the incident, revealing, “I struggle with being present. After everything that occurred, I cannot bring myself back to being in the same room with Tory. I’ve been tormented and terrorized.”
Megan’s statement shed light on the disturbing extent to which Lanez allegedly contributed to her trauma. She accused him of treating her experience lightly and even manipulating the situation for his own gain. “He paid bloggers to disseminate false information, he treated my trauma like a joke when I could’ve been dead,” Megan’s statement continued. She also noted his attempts to deflect blame and downplay his actions by invoking his own childhood trauma.
Despite the turmoil she experienced, Megan asserted her journey towards healing and her transformation from a victim to a survivor. Her words conveyed resilience and strength, resonating with survivors of similar experiences. Megan’s statement signified her victory over adversity and her determination to hold Lanez accountable.
This isn’t the first time Megan has spoken out about the incident. In an earlier essay for ELLE, she shared her perspective on surviving the ordeal and the subsequent public scrutiny. She highlighted the significance of the guilty verdict, not just for herself, but for all women who have faced victim-blaming and dismissal.
Tory Lanez’s legal battle came to a head with the guilty verdict in late 2022. The charges against him included assault with a semiautomatic firearm, carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. Lanez, 31, was subsequently sentenced to prison, despite his appeal and plea for a new trial.
As the courtroom drama unfolded, Lanez’s plea for a new trial was denied, resulting in the impactful verdict that reverberates through the music industry and beyond. Amid the legal proceedings and emotions laid bare, Megan Thee Stallion’s statement serves as a poignant reminder of the strength of survivors and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
With Megan’s resilience echoing through the corridors of justice, the aftermath of this case leaves an indelible mark on the ongoing dialogue surrounding assault, accountability, and the empowerment of survivors.