In a stunning development, hip-hop superstar Megan Thee Stallion has taken legal action against Canadian rapper Tory Lanez, filing a petition for a restraining order in Los Angeles Superior Court. The move comes as Lanez serves a 10-year prison sentence for shooting Megan in the feet back in 2020, a crime for which he was convicted of three felonies last December.
Alleged Harassment Campaign from Behind Bars
According to the petition, Megan, whose legal name is Megan Pete, claims that Lanez is orchestrating a relentless campaign of harassment against her, even while incarcerated. The court filing asserts that despite being sentenced to a decade behind bars, Lanez “shows no signs of stopping” his victimization of the “WAP” artist.
Megan’s legal team points to prison call logs from the California correctional institution where Lanez is being held as evidence that he is coordinating attacks on her credibility through third-party surrogates. The petition alleges that bloggers acting on Lanez’s behalf continue to spread disinformation, casting doubt on Megan’s allegations and making spurious claims, such as suggesting that key evidence like the gun and bullet fragments are missing.
Protective Order Loophole
Megan’s lawyers argue that the previous protective order issued to prevent harassment is no longer in effect, calling it a “loophole” and “flaw” in the criminal justice system that leaves their client vulnerable to ongoing attacks. They are now seeking court intervention to put an end to what they characterize as a relentless smear campaign against the Grammy-winning artist.
Even now, while behind bars, Mr. Peterson shows no signs of stopping. Despite being sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting Ms. Pete, Mr. Peterson continues to to subject her to repeated trauma and re-victimization.
Excerpt from Megan Thee Stallion’s petition
Blogger Named as “Puppet and Mouthpiece”
The petition specifically names blogger Milagro Elizabeth Cooper as acting as Lanez’s “puppet and mouthpiece,” spreading falsehoods on social media and YouTube. Megan’s team alleges that Cooper has posted videos questioning whether the rapper was even shot and labeling her a “professional victim.” Cooper’s attorney declined to comment on the petition but indicated a forthcoming response to a separate federal lawsuit filed by Megan.
Conviction and Appeal
Lanez, 32, was convicted in December 2022 of assault with a semi-automatic firearm, having a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. A judge rejected a motion for a new trial from his lawyers, who are now appealing the conviction.
During the trial, Megan, 29, testified that after leaving a party at Kylie Jenner’s Hollywood Hills home in July 2020, Lanez fired the gun at the back of her feet and shouted for her to dance as she walked away from an SUV in which they had been riding. She revealed Lanez as the shooter only months later.
Hip-Hop Firestorm
The high-profile case ignited a firestorm in the hip-hop community, stirring up issues of misogynoir, the particular brand of misogyny faced by Black women, along with debates about protecting Black women, gender politics in hip-hop, and the reluctance of Black victims to involve police. It also highlighted the toxic online culture that subjects women, especially those in the public eye, to relentless scrutiny, doubt, and harassment.
For Megan Thee Stallion, the case came at a time when her career was skyrocketing. She has since gone on to win a Grammy for Best New Artist in 2021 and topped the charts with hits like “Savage” featuring Beyoncé and her appearance on Cardi B’s “WAP.” Lanez, meanwhile, had seen a steady rise in popularity with his mixtapes and albums prior to his conviction.
Upcoming Court Hearing
A court hearing on Megan’s petition for a restraining order is scheduled for January 9th. Her legal team will need to present compelling evidence of the alleged harassment campaign and make the case for why a new protective order is necessary, given the rapper’s incarcerated status.
As this legal battle unfolds, it serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges faced by survivors of violence, particularly Black women, in seeking justice and protection. It also underscores the pervasive nature of harassment in the age of social media, where attacks can be coordinated and amplified from anywhere, even a prison cell.
The outcome of this petition could have significant implications not just for Megan Thee Stallion and Tory Lanez, but for how the legal system and society at large handle cases of high-profile victimization and the phenomenon of proxy harassment. As the court prepares to weigh the evidence, the hip-hop world and beyond will be watching closely, waiting to see if Megan will finally find some measure of peace and protection from her alleged tormentor.
