Tory Lanez’s Driver Claims Key Evidence Was Excluded: Could a New Trial Be on the Horizon?

Los Angeles, CA — In a significant turn of events, Tory Lanez is pushing for a new trial, fueled by a recent affidavit from his driver, Jauquan Smith. This affidavit offers a fresh perspective on the 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion, a case that led to Lanez's 2022 conviction.

Smith’s affidavit describes a chaotic scene where Megan Thee Stallion and her former friend Kelsey Harris were embroiled in a heated confrontation. According to Smith, who was driving the vehicle, he intervened to separate the two women. During the scuffle, Smith claims he saw Harris holding a gun. Lanez, who was also present, reportedly tried to disarm Harris. Smith admits, however, that he didn’t see who fired the weapon.

Lanez’s defence team argues that Smith’s account could have had a substantial impact on the original trial. They contend that this testimony, which suggests Harris was the one with the gun, was crucial and might have influenced the jury's decision. Smith’s statements, they believe, underscore a need for a fresh look at the case.

On the other hand, prosecutors argue that Smith’s testimony is not as groundbreaking as Lanez's team suggests. Deputy Attorney General Michael C. Keller asserts that Lanez's former attorney had already dismissed Smith as a potential witness due to concerns about bias and the cumulative nature of his testimony. Keller points out that the defense was aware of the eyewitness account implicating Harris prior to the trial, and therefore, Smith’s testimony would not have provided any new insights.

Lanez was convicted of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, illegal possession of a firearm, and negligent discharge of a firearm in 2022. He received a 10-year prison sentence in 2023. Despite this, his legal team is determined to overturn the conviction, arguing that the exclusion of Smith’s affidavit was a significant error.

As this case unfolds, the legal community and public are keenly observing whether Smith’s affidavit will indeed prompt a new trial or if it will be deemed a case of redundant evidence. The California Attorney General’s Office remains firm in its stance, contesting the notion that this new evidence warrants a reassessment of Lanez’s conviction.