The California Supreme Court has effectively ended rapper Tory Lanez’s appeals in the 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion, rejecting his petition for review of his conviction. The decision, confirmed on Wednesday, February 26, 2026, leaves the 10-year prison sentence intact and marks a significant milestone in a case that has garnered national attention. This ruling comes after the California Court of Appeals affirmed Lanez’s conviction in November, solidifying the outcome of the highly publicized trial.
The case centers around an incident that occurred in July 2020 in the Hollywood Hills, where Megan Thee Stallion was shot during an argument with Lanez, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson. Lanez was found guilty in December 2022 on three felony counts: assault with a semiautomatic firearm, carrying a loaded unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. He received a 10-year sentence in August 2023, a penalty he has consistently contested.
The denial of review by the California Supreme Court signifies the exhaustion of legal options at the state level. According to a disposition update on appellatecases.courtinfo.ca.gov, the court chose not to disturb the appellate court’s prior ruling. This doesn’t necessarily indicate agreement with the lower court’s decision, but rather a decision not to re-examine it. The appellate court’s 46-page opinion had already addressed arguments raised by Lanez’s defense team, which claimed evidentiary and procedural errors during the trial. However, the justices concluded that the trial record contained “more than sufficient” evidence to support the jury’s finding that Peterson personally inflicted great bodily injury on Megan Pete.
Lanez’s Claims of Innocence and Previous Appeals
Despite the court rulings, Lanez has maintained his innocence. In a December 2025 interview with NBC News, he stated, “I believe not only that I was wrongfully convicted, but the amount of new evidence that has emerged since that trial, I think, has been overwhelming.” He expressed a desire for a fair review of the evidence, stating he wasn’t seeking to attack Megan Thee Stallion but rather to have the system examine his case impartially.
Lanez also conveyed a willingness to speak directly with Megan Thee Stallion, stating, “I think that I wouldn’t say something directly to her, I would like that moment to happen in person. We’ve both gone through a lot. There’s this connotation that, like I share this hatred for her, but I don’t. I’m genuinely past that. I’m at a place of healing in my life. I’m at a place of taking accountability for the things that I did wrong. And when I talk about my case, I don’t want it to be taken as me coming for her because it’s not that. I’m just asking for somebody in the system to look at my case and look at the evidence and ask if this was fair.”
Prior to the California Supreme Court’s decision, Lanez’s attempts to overturn the verdict and secure a new trial had been unsuccessful. His legal team previously argued that new evidence had emerged, but those efforts were also denied. He is currently incarcerated at California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo, California, and is eligible for parole in August 2029.
The Timeline of Legal Battles
Here’s a brief timeline of key events in the case:
- July 2020: Shooting incident occurs in the Hollywood Hills.
- December 2022: Tory Lanez is found guilty on three felony counts.
- August 2023: Lanez is sentenced to 10 years in prison.
- November 2025: California Court of Appeals affirms Lanez’s conviction.
- February 25, 2026: California Supreme Court denies review of the case.
California Supreme Court Document Denying Tory Lanez’s Request to Review His Shooting Conviction
The denial of review by the state’s highest court brings a definitive end to the state-level legal challenges in this case. Whereas Lanez may explore potential federal appeals, the current ruling reinforces the findings of the Los Angeles jury and the subsequent affirmations by the appellate court.
The case has sparked widespread discussion about gun violence, celebrity justice, and the complexities of legal proceedings. The outcome will likely continue to be debated and analyzed as the legal ramifications unfold.
The next step for Lanez would involve exploring potential avenues for federal appeals, though the likelihood of success remains uncertain given the consistent rulings against him in California courts. Further updates on any potential federal appeals will be reported as they become available.
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