The Tory Lanez Trial concluded in December 2022 with a guilty verdict in the shooting of rapper Megan Thee Stallion, concluding a two-year saga that exposed deep issues around misogynoir, victim-blaming, and violence against Black women in hip-hop culture.

The Incident

On July 12, 2020, following a party at Kylie Jenner’s Hollywood Hills home, Megan Thee Stallion (Megan Pete) was shot in both feet. She initially told police she stepped on glass, but weeks later revealed:

• Tory Lanez (Daystar Peterson) shot her
• The incident occurred after an argument in an SUV
• She feared police violence if she disclosed the truth immediately

The Trial (November-December 2022)

Charges: Assault with a semiautomatic firearm, carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.

Key testimony:

• Megan testified Tory shot her after she insulted his music career
• Eye witness Kelsey Harris gave contradictory testimony
• Text messages showed Harris told others Tory shot Megan
• Expert testimony about gunshot residue and injuries

Verdict (December 23, 2022): Guilty on all three counts. Sentencing scheduled for 2023 (ultimately 10 years).

Social Media Warfare

The case became a cultural battleground:

#ProtectBlackWomen: Supporters highlighted misogynoir and victim-blaming Megan faced.

#FreeTory: Defense supporters claimed conspiracy, questioned Megan’s credibility, spread misinformation.

50 Cent, Drake, and others: High-profile figures mocked Megan on social media, amplifying doubt about her story.

Misogynoir & Victim-Blaming

The case exposed brutal treatment of Black women victims:

• Megan was called liar, clout-chaser, and worse
• Her sexual history weaponized against her
• Memes and jokes made about her shooting
• Questions about why she didn’t report immediately (ignoring police violence fears)
• Pressure to “prove” her trauma

Black women activists noted this treatment exemplified why Black women hesitate to report violence.

Cultural Context

The trial occurred amid:

• #MeToo movement: Conversations about believing women
• Black women’s credibility: Historical devaluation of Black women’s testimony
• Hip-hop misogyny: Long-standing issues with how rap culture treats women
• Police violence fears: Megan’s legitimate fear of police interaction

The Gaslighting Campaign

Throughout 2020-2022, before trial, a coordinated campaign attempted to discredit Megan:

• Rumors Kelsey Harris shot Megan (despite evidence)
• Claims Megan lied for publicity
• Allegations of conspiracy
• Minimization of her injuries (“just shot in the foot”)

Megan’s Response

Throughout the ordeal, Megan:

• Continued releasing music (“Shots Fired,” “Plan B”)
• Spoke publicly about trauma and violation
• Addressed mental health struggles
• Called out industry misogyny
• Became a symbol for #ProtectBlackWomen

Legal & Cultural Impact

The verdict represented:

• Rare accountability for violence against women in hip-hop
• Validation of Black women’s testimony
• Push-back against misogynoir
• Consequences for victim-blaming culture

Reactions

Supporters celebrated:

• Justice for Megan
• Belief in Black women’s stories
• Accountability for violence

Critics maintained:

• Doubts about the case
• Claims of conspiracy
• Defense of Tory Lanez

Broader Significance

The case highlighted:

• How Black women are uniquely disbelieved and devalued
• Social media’s role in victim-harassment
• Hip-hop industry’s toxicity toward women
• Need for cultural shift in how we treat victims

The trial became a referendum on whether society would believe a Black woman when she said she was shot—and for many, the guilty verdict felt like a rare moment of justice in a system that typically fails Black women.

Sources:

• Los Angeles County Superior Court records
• NPR trial coverage
• The Root cultural analysis
• Social media discourse documentation
• Billboard hip-hop coverage