Trial Judge Denies Witness Tampering Charges Against Tory Lanez
Prosecutors in the trial between Megan Thee Stallion and Tory Lanez were rejected when they posed the addition of a new charge, in relation to a reported bribe offered to the plaintiff and Kelsey Harris (a former friend of Megan and a witness in the court proceedings) on the basis that the charges were being filed too late.
On Monday, two new charges were brought against lanes by prosecutors in the trial but were quickly dismissed on the account of the charges being filed too late.
“It’s based on testimony by both the victim and Ms. (Kelsey) Harris,” about “statements the defendant made in the car, offering them a million dollars” not to speak about the shooting that injured Megan on July 12, 2020, Kathy Ta, Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney, said.
According to California Penal Code 136.1, it is illegal to try to persuade a witness.
Attorney Ta filed her proposal for the new charges on Monday and given that Megan made the initial allegation early in the case, Judge David Herriford inquired into the reason why the prosecutors had failed to file the charges earlier.
Ta stated that she was unsure of how exactly Harris would testify, but since she seemed to confirm Megan’s claim during her testimony, they settled on the decision to file additional charges surrounding the alleged bribe.
The court agreed with Lanez’s defense attorney, George Mgdsyan, who opposed the charges, claiming that it is unlikely that the prosecutors had no clue, since September, as to how Harris would testify on the witness stand. Thus, it was deemed that continuing with the addition of the charges would be an unfair ruling which would only serve to hinder the defence who would have to scramble to reorganize and deliver a counterclaim, Herriford pointed out.
The Canadian rapper, legal name Daystar Peterson, has pleaded not guilty to three felony charges in the controversial trial. Lanez has denied all charges related to discharging a firearm with gross negligence, assault with a firearm, and concealment of an unregistered and loaded firearm in a vehicle.
It is anticipated that the musician will have to serve up to 22 years in prison and then be deported if found guilty.
