Megan Thee Stallion, the acclaimed rapper whose real name is Megan Pete, has filed a restraining order against fellow artist Tory Lanez, born Daystar Peterson.
This legal action comes amidst allegations that Lanez, despite being incarcerated, continues to engage in what Megan describes as "psychological warfare" against her.
The restraining order request was submitted to the Los Angeles Superior Court on December 17, 2024, as Megan seeks protection from ongoing harassment she claims is orchestrated by Lanez from behind bars.
The backdrop to this legal battle dates back to a harrowing incident in July 2020, when Megan was shot in the feet after leaving a party at Kylie Jenner's Hollywood Hills home.
Lanez was convicted in December 2022 of three felony charges related to the shooting: assault with a semiautomatic firearm, having a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. He was subsequently sentenced to 10 years in prison in August 2023, a verdict that marked the culmination of a highly publicized trial that captivated the hip-hop community and beyond.
Despite his incarceration, Megan alleges that Lanez has continued to "terrorize" her through surrogates, employing bloggers and other third parties to perpetuate a campaign of harassment and defamation. In her new 193-page filing, Megan asserts that Lanez has enlisted individuals to post false and damaging information about her online, effectively revictimizing her and causing significant emotional distress.
"Even from behind bars, Mr. Peterson continues to terrorize Ms. Pete," the petition states, highlighting the inadequacies and loopholes in the criminal justice system that have left her without formal protection.
Central to Megan's claims is the involvement of Milagro Gramz, a blogger whom she accuses of acting as Lanez's "puppet and mouthpiece." Megan has separately filed a lawsuit against Gramz, legally known as Milagro Elizabeth Cooper, in the Southern District of Florida.
The lawsuit accuses Cooper of cyberstalking, promoting deepfake pornography, and spreading false information intended to question the integrity of the criminal trial and smear Megan's reputation. Megan's legal team argues that there is evidence showing Peterson "pays or paid" Cooper to attack Megan, thereby exacerbating her emotional distress.
The restraining order petition also details how Lanez's supporters have continued to cast doubt on Megan's allegations, making false claims such as the gun and bullet fragments being missing. These assertions, according to Megan, are part of a broader strategy by Lanez to distort the truth and appeal his conviction.
California authorities have confirmed that the firearm remains in police custody, and Lanez's lawyers had declined to independently test it before the trial, focusing instead on the "inconclusive" DNA test results obtained by police.
Megan's legal filing signifies the psychological toll that this ongoing harassment has taken on her mental health. She describes the situation as a relentless "psychological warfare" that has left her feeling depressed and traumatized. The petition calls for the court to issue a restraining order that would bar Lanez from contacting or harassing her directly or indirectly, both online and offline. Without such intervention, Megan fears that she will be forced to "relive" her trauma repeatedly.
The case has sparked widespread discussion about the challenges faced by Black women in speaking out against violence and the pervasive issues of misogynoir within the hip-hop industry. Megan's testimony during the trial was particularly poignant, as she recounted the moment Lanez allegedly fired at her feet while shouting "Dance Bitch." Her courage in coming forward has been lauded by many, but it has also exposed her to intense scrutiny and vitriol from certain quarters.
As the legal proceedings continue, a court hearing on the restraining order is scheduled for January 9, 2025. Meanwhile, Lanez's legal team has not immediately responded to requests for comment, and an email seeking comment from Lanez's lawyers was not returned.
Comentarios