Florida Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna has called on California Governor Gavin Newsom to review and consider clemency for Canadian-born artist Daystar Peterson, better known as Tory Lanez. Lanez is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence following his 2023 conviction for the 2020 shooting of rapper Megan Thee Stallion.
Luna, known for her unapologetic conservative stance and advocacy against what she sees as prosecutorial overreach, argues that Lanez’s sentencing may have been influenced by political pressure, media bias, and questionable evidentiary standards. In a recent letter to Governor Newsom, the Congresswoman questioned whether Lanez was afforded a fair trial, citing concerns about forensic inconsistencies, reliance on circumstantial evidence, and the climate of high-profile celebrity scrutiny surrounding the case.
“Justice must remain blind to fame, public opinion, and political narratives,” Luna stated. “There are real concerns that Tory Lanez’s constitutional rights may have been compromised.”
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The case drew intense national attention after the July 2020 incident in the Hollywood Hills, with Lanez ultimately being found guilty of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, possession of an unregistered firearm, and negligent discharge of a firearm. However, critics of the trial—including some legal analysts—have raised concerns about key elements of the prosecution's case, including the absence of Lanez’s DNA on the weapon and conflicting eyewitness testimonies.
Supporters of Luna’s call point to data showing disproportionate sentencing trends in California and the increasing spotlight on prosecutorial discretion in celebrity cases. According to a 2021 study by the National Registry of Exonerations, official misconduct contributed to 31% of wrongful convictions in the U.S., disproportionately affecting Black and Latino men.
While Luna’s intervention has sparked heated debate across social media and political circles, it also raises broader questions about the role of political figures in high-profile criminal cases—and whether celebrity defendants are treated more harshly under the microscope of public opinion.
Governor Newsom’s office has not yet issued a formal response. Drop your thoughts below are you signing the petition the free Tory Lanez? For more updates check back in her at Bulletproof Radio.
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