Overwhelming Evidence of Mr. Peterson's Guilt

People v. Daystar Peterson

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Daystar Peterson Admitted to Shooting �Megan Pete

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Peterson Admitted to Shooting Pete

• On July 12, 2020, just hours after violently shooting Megan Pete (aka Megan Thee Stallion), Daystar Peterson (aka Tory Lanez) called Kelsey Harris from jail and admitted to shooting Pete. The following text is from the recorded jail call:�

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Trial Exhibit No. 22

“I know she [Megan] probably never, ever gonna talk to me ever again,” Lanez said. “But I just want you to know, bruh, I was just so fucking drunk. I ain’t even know what the fuck was going on, bruh, like deadass. I’d never do some shit like that… I was just so fucking drunk, n-gga, I just didn’t understand what the fuck was going on, bruh. Regardless, that’s not going to make anything right and that’s not going to make my actions right.” 

Peterson Admitted to Shooting Pete

• Later that evening, on July 12, 2020, Peterson texted Pete, apologizing for shooting her.

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Harris Repeatedly Confirmed �Peterson Shot Pete

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Harris Confirmed Peterson Shot Pete

• Minutes after the shooting, Harris texted Pete’s security guard.

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Trial Exhibit No. 32

Harris’ September 14, 2022 Interview with Prosecutors

• On September 14, 2022, Harris, in the presence of her attorney and husband, participated in a recorded interview with prosecutors and an investigator.
• Harris admitted to prosecutors that she witnessed Peterson “shooting the gun,” “definitely in [Ms. Pete’s] direction.”
• Harris confirmed Peterson offered her and Pete $1,000,000 to stay silent.

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Ms. Harris’ testimony �at interview:

Peterson Attempted to Bribe �Pete and Harris �Immediately After the Shooting

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Peterson Tried to Buy Silence Through Bribes

• Peterson begged Pete and Harris to keep quiet, offering each a bribe of $1,000,000.

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Peterson Tried to Buy Silence Through Bribes

• Peterson begged Pete and Harris to keep quiet, offering each a bribe of $1,000,000.

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Harris’ testimony at trial:

Megan Pete �Speaks Out

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Pete Initially Sought to Protect Peterson

• Pete told police that she “stepped on glass” because she wanted to de-escalate the situation and prevent the police from using force against Peterson.

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Pete’s testimony at trial:

Peterson’s Lies Compelled Pete to Speak Out

• Pete realized she could no longer remain silent when Peterson began to spread lies about the shooting. She publicly announced that her injuries were from gunshots fired by Peterson.
• During trial, Pete testified under oath that Peterson shot her.

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Peterson Continues Promoting Disproven Lies

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The Evolution of Peterson's Lies

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Peterson’s story has evolved over the years.

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First Lie: Pete Stepped on Glass, Not Shot

• Dr. Lee Haruno of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s Orthopedic Surgery Department testified that surgery was necessary to remove bullet fragments from Ms. Pete’s foot.

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Second Lie: Harris Shot Pete

• At trial, Peterson’s counsel argued that Harris, not Peterson, was the shooter.

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Defendant's closing argument:

Second Lie: Harris Shot Pete

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On September 25, 2020, Peterson Admitted Himself Publicly that Harris Did Not Shoot Pete.

Second Lie: Harris Shot Pete

• Harris' DNA was not on the gun.
• DNA evidence shows that DNA on the gun came from a man, not a woman.

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Second Lie: Harris Shot Pete

• Peterson's DNA could not be excluded from the gun.
• Peterson had his own DNA expert testify at trial.
• Both prosecution and defense DNA experts reached the same conclusion: Peterson could "neither be included nor excluded" as a contributor to the DNA found on the weapon.

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California Attorney General’s Opposition to Mr. Peterson’s Habeas Corpus Petition, at 12.

Second Lie: Harris Shot Pete

Gun Found Under Peterson’s Seat

• Semi-automatic firearm recovered directly under Peterson's seat.
• Weapon was still warm to touch and in slide-lock position (all rounds fired).
• Spent cartridge cases from scene matched to this handgun.
• Gunshot residue detected on Peterson's hands.

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Second Lie: Harris Shot Pete

Gun Found Under Peterson’s Seat

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Third Lie: The LAPD Lost or Misplaced �the Gun and Bullet Fragments

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Truth: The firearm, magazine, bullet casings, and bullet fragments remain in the LAPD custody.

Martin Preciado�Senior Property Officer

LAPD Evidence and Property Management Division

Claim: Peterson claimed the LAPD lost or misplaced the firearm and bullet fragments.

Rumors �vs. �Sworn Testimony

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Unsworn Rumors Being Spread as Fact

• Bradley James, allegedly a former bodyguard of Harris, claims overhearing Harris admit to shooting the firearm.
• But James was not an eye-witness to the shooting. He was not present at the scene of the crime.
• James has never provided sworn testimony or been subject to cross-examination.
• James has not publicly addressed these claims himself—Peterson's team merely alleges what James said.
• Despite being cited as a key source, James failed to appear at the press conference to support these allegations.

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Sworn Testimony Supports Pete

• NoirKing (Amiel Holland-Briggs), former content moderator for blogger Milagro Cooper, testified under oath that Peterson admitted to Cooper that Pete was shot when a gun went off during a struggle.

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• Peterson publicly claimed Pete merely stepped on glass, directly contradicting his own private admission—a fabrication that was subsequently amplified by his social media surrogates including Cooper.

Peterson Chose Not to Call a "Key Witness" at Trial

• Peterson declined to call Jauquan Smith, his bodyguard and driver, as a witness, although Smith was available and present at court.
• Smith spoke to the judge in chambers.
• Smith’s declaration came only after trial.
• Smith has never been subject to cross-examination.

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Sean Kelly's Testimony

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• Independent witness testified he saw "the short guy shot the girl" who then "fell onto the middle of the road" and "was bleeding."
• Confirmed shooter "had his arms outstretched," "fired four or five shots," and had "something in his hand with the noise and the flashes."

Ring Footage

• Peterson's team has recently claimed that they have obtained Ring footage that supposedly exonerates Peterson. Not so.
• Ring Audio is not new—it was admitted into evidence at trial as Trial Exhibit No. 12—and was considered by the jury.

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Peterson Could Have Testified but Did Not

Peterson had the opportunity to testify at trial and tell his side of the story—he did not.

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Unsworn Rumors vs. Sworn Testimony

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The jury unanimously found Peterson guilty �based on the FACTS, not unsubstantiated claims.