Title: Rapper Tory Lanez has broken his silence from behind bars—claiming he accepted the guilty verdict to shield Megan’s best friend, Kelsey Harris.
More than a year after being sentenced to 10 years in prison for the 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion, rapper Tory Lanez has broken his silence from behind bars—claiming he accepted the guilty verdict to shield Megan’s best friend, Kelsey Harris.
“I took the rap for Kelsey,” Lanez wrote in a newly released statement shared by his reps on social media. “I never wanted her to go to jail, and I never wanted Megan to get hurt. In all honesty, I protected two Black women. I lost my mother at 11, and I couldn’t live with myself taking a woman away from her kids.”
The comments have reignited debate around an already–polarizing case that rocked hip-hop and fueled months of social-media warfare between fan bases.
What the Court Ruled
In December 2022, a Los Angeles jury found Lanez—born Daystar Peterson—guilty of three felonies, including assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Prosecutors argued he shot Megan in both feet after an argument outside a Hollywood Hills party.
During the trial Kelsey Harris—who was in the SUV that night—gave conflicting testimony, at times invoking the Fifth Amendment. Ultimately, jurors sided with Megan’s version of events, and Lanez was sentenced the following summer.
Lanez’s Latest Claim: Sacrifice or Spin?
Lanez now says he allowed the narrative to paint him as the lone aggressor to keep Kelsey from legal jeopardy. Critics, however, say his new statement contradicts trial evidence—ballistics, eyewitness accounts, and text messages presented in court.
Legal analysts note that admitting to “taking the rap” after conviction does little to alter the verdict unless backed by new, verifiable evidence, something Lanez’s team has yet to provide.
Reactions Across Social Media
Supporters of Lanez argue this “confession of protection” proves he’s been misjudged.
Megan’s fans contend the statement is a last-ditch effort to sway public opinion and reduce his sentence on appeal.
Legal observers caution that post-trial claims rarely override jury findings without hard proof.
What’s Next?
Lanez’s attorneys have already filed a notice of appeal, and this new narrative will likely fold into their strategy. Meanwhile, Megan has remained largely silent, focusing on new music and philanthropic efforts. Kelsey Harris has not publicly responded to Lanez’s latest remarks.
Whether Lanez’s declaration is viewed as noble sacrifice or calculated spin, it’s clear the case continues to spark passionate debate about truth, loyalty, and accountability in hip-hop.
