Roy Rochlin
The trial of Daystar Shemuel Shua Peterson (Tory Lanez) for the felony assault of Megan Jovon Ruth Pete (Megan Thee Stallion) started last week. In October, Peterson’s bail was revoked after an alleged altercation with singer August Alsina, and a judge placed him under house arrest. But today, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge David Herriford ordered his release, XXL Magazine first reported and multiple outlets have since confirmed.
“I will terminate the house arrest at this point,” Judge Herriford said in court today, per Rolling Stone. “The main reason is that during trial, it’s difficult to have a client who’s not accessible. I’m doing this mainly for the trial preparation aspect.” Herriford then reportedly clarified that Peterson’s $350,000 bond would stand and said he’d need more time to rule on whether Peterson would need to continue wearing a GPS ankle monitor throughout the trial.
L.A. County Deputy District Attorney Kathy Ta argued against Herriford’s decision, alleging that Peterson has already tried to dissuade multiple witnesses for the prosecution from testifying in the case and will continue to do so if released. Peterson’s lawyer, George G. Mgdesyan, denied the accusation and asserted that the ankle monitor should be removed, arguing that it would no longer serve anything but a punitive purpose in the absence of a house arrest. The FADER has reached out to both Ta and Mgdesyan for further comment.
In October 2020, the L.A. District Attorney’s office charged Peterson with three felonies for allegedly shooting Pete twice in the foot in July of the same year. He pleaded not guilty to all three charges and continues to maintain his innocence. In April 2022, Peterson’s bail was increased after a judge ruled that tweets he’d made indirectly referencing Pete violated a protective order prohibiting him from contacting her in person or otherwise. If convicted as charged, he faces a maximum of 22 years in prison.
