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Tory Lanez has reportedly shared his reaction after Judge David Herriford denied the rapper’s motion to receive bail. As The Shade Room previously reported, the rapper filed the motion on August 28. Additionally, Lanez desired to receive bail as he works to appeal his 10-year prison sentence.
The rapper received the sentence on August 8. This followed Lanez being convicted on three charges in relation to the 2020 assault of Megan Thee Stallion in December.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to reflect Tory Lanez’s reported reaction to Judge David Herriford’s denial of his bail motion. Additionally, this article has been updated to reflect the events that allegedly occurred before Lanez left the courtroom following his bail motion hearing.
According to TMZ, Caesar McDowell, the CEO of Unite, The People, the legal team currently representing Lanez in his bail and appeal cases, spoke with the rapper after Judge David Herriford denied him bond.
McDowell explained to the outlet that the rapper is remaining “hopeful.” Additionally, the rapper reportedly informed McDowell that he “wasn’t surprised” the judge denied his request for bail.
Furthermore, Lanez is reportedly “chalking” Thursday’s events to be “all in God’s plan.”
According to the outlet, Lanez and his legal team plan to file an “emergency motion” to “try to reverse the judge’s ruling.” Additionally, the rapper believes a “higher court” will “be more receptive to him” than Judge Herriford.
Ahead of Thursday’s hearing, McDowell reportedly shared his thoughts on the rapper’s sentencing, as per Rolling Stone.
“To be convicted for ten years in state prison for your first time being in prison, we feel that that’s disproportionate… We feel that he wasn’t given a fair shake.”
According to legal reporter Meghann Cuniff, Judge David Herriford then denied the rapper’s request for bail pending appeal Thursday afternoon. Cuniff added that the judge detailed the reason for his decision via YouTube live following the hearing.
According to Cuniff, Herriford explained that Lanez “was convicted of a violent crime,” “has a history of violating court orders,” and “is not a U.S. citizen.” Therefore, if the judge granted the rapper’s bail request, there could still be “deportation proceedings” to be considered.
TMZ reports that Lanez’s attorneys argued against the judge’s last point, explaining that the rapper is “legally” in the country on an “active work visa.” However, the reported argument appeared to be to no avail.
In a tweet shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, Cuniff added that the rapper “grinned at his supporters” following the judge’s decision as he was led out of the courtroom.
Additionally, the legal reporter tweeted that Lanez is “officially head to prison.”
On Friday, Cuniff published a report that explained Lanez referred to her as a “googly-eyed b***h” as he left the hearing. According to Cuniff, she did not hear the words from Lanez’s mouth. However, many people and officials within the courtroom informed her of his alleged statement.
Additionally, the rapper’s lawyer, Jose Baez, was reportedly absent from Thursday’s hearing. Cuniff notes that the lawyer wished Lanez “much love” via his Instagram Story.
In a report published Friday, Cuniff also noted that Ed Welbourn and Matthew Barhoma, the attorneys who represented Lanez at his sentencing, were also absent from the hearing.
Rolling Stone notes that Lanez was represented in court Thursday by Crystal A. Morgan and Michael Hayden of Unite the People, a California-based nonprofit organization that renders legal services. As The Shade Room previously reported, Lanez’s bail motion was signed by Morgan. She is a licensed California attorney for the organization.
Cuniff reported Friday that Hayden has worked with Unite The People since 2022.
As The Shade Room previously reported, the rapper’s bail motion was initially filed on Monday, August 28. The motion reportedly detailed Lanez’s plans to live in Los Angeles with his six-year-old son and wife, Raina Chassagne.
Additionally, the motion explained that Lanez would maintain his sobriety and have “no contact” with Megan Thee Stallion “on social media or by other means.”
“Giving Mr. Peterson bail will allow him to continue his employment while staying in the geographic Los Angeles area,” the motion reportedly stated, as previously reported by The Shade Room.
The motion ultimately added that Lanez is not a “danger” to society and his charges stemmed “from an isolated incident where he was intoxicated.” As The Shade Room previously reported, the rapper’s “pending appeal” will not be addressed by Judge David Herriford. Instead, it will reportedly “be filed with the California Courts of Appeal’s 2nd District in Los Angeles.”
According to legal reporter Meghann Cuniff, the “notice of appeal” was received on August 10. However, Cuniff notes that the appellate process can extend multiple years and may not begin until 2024.
In a report published Friday, Cuniff adds that Judge David Herriford remained confident in his sentencing of Tory. Herriford briefly spoke on the appellate motion Thursday. Additionally, the judge reportedly stated that there were “no errors, and even if there was some type of error, it’s harmless error.”
Furthermore, Cuniff reports Lanez could be transferred to state prison before the end of September. Additionally, the rapper will receive a credit of 305 days served.
Tory Lanez has maintained his innocence in relation to his conviction.
