Tory Lanez: Lawyer Claims Rapper Is Being ‘Taken Advantage Of’ By Current Counsel
Tory Lanez wanted to replace a member of his counsel with a lawyer who believes the rap star is being taken advantage of. Unfortunately for Lanez (real name: Daystar Peterson), the motion was denied. Legal journalist Meghann Cuniff reported that a judge denied Ronda Renee Dixon as replacement counsel for Matthew Barhoma for Lanez.
“These guys are just taking advantage of [Lanez],” Dixon told Cuniff per Legal Affairs and Trials with Meghann Cuniff. “They’ve had him sign powers of attorneys. They’re acting on his behalf. … They’re not really asking him what he wants.”
“Because Mr. Peterson has viable, meritorious post-conviction litigation, this court should award bail,” she wrote. “The unconstitutional nature of his confinement provides ample justification. Peterson’s conviction is not punishable by death. Because he will apply for probation, file an appeal, and pursue additional post-conviction remedies, this court should admit him bail within the court’s discretion.”
RELATED: Tory Lanez Sentencing Delayed Once Again
She continued: “Merely because he is well known, the Sheriff has decided that Mr. Peterson is of such great threat that he must be confined in the same manner as those convicted of serial rape charges and murder.”
It is unclear why the motion was denied for Lanez to switch counsel. This denial follows another letdown from Lanez’s team. He previously requested a new trial in an attempt to prove his innocence last month.
“Tory Lanez motion for a new trial has been denied. We don’t have a sentencing date yet. Attorney Jose Baez and the Lanez team did file a motion disqualify Judge Herriford — I don’t know on what grounds we don’t have copies yet — but Herriford still issued his ruling. That matter will likely be heard outside the county at some point (and that’s also a very high bar.) There will be more in the afternoon: defense wanted to ask Herriford to confirm he’s denying their due process claims (not relevant at present) and a sentencing date could be set,” Los Angeles Times reporter James Queally shared on Twitter.
Lanez will be officially sentenced on August 7. This is the third time that the rapper’s sentencing date has been delayed.