Well-respected legal journalist Meghann Cuniff was present in the courtroom on Wednesday (July 12) for Tory Lanez’s court hearing where a judge ultimately denied a motion to replace a member of his legal counsel with a new lawyer.
Ronda Renee Dixon wanted to replace Matthew Barhoma and become the new counsel for Lanez as she believes the Canadian star is being taken advantage of. While speaking with Cuniff in a phone interview ahead of court, Dixon explained why the rapper reportedly wanted her on his legal team. She said Lanez wants her to work under his current lawyer, prominent Miami attorney Jose Baez, but “me and him have some serious issues, because he won’t talk to me.” She continued, “These guys are just taking advantage of [Lanez],” said Dixon. “They’ve had him sign powers of attorneys. They’re acting on his behalf. … They’re not really asking him what he wants.”
In a copy of the motion she drafted and shared with the journalist, she argues Lanez is being subject to cruel and unusual punishment in jail because he’s in isolation due to his celebrity status. Dixon also said she recently met with Lanez in jail and claimed he was visibly in bad shape. “His eyes were black. He was totally despondent. He told me he wanted to go to state prison. I said, ‘You want to go to state prison? Why?’ He said, ‘At least I’ll be able to go out in the yard and talk to people,’” Dixon said. “That upset me. I don’t think he’s guilty.” Lanez’s legal team posted a statement to his Instagram Story and seemingly denied reports that claim the entertainer is being taken advantage of by his lawyers and is in bad shape while in the slammer.
Dixon went on to say that she wants Lanez released from jail as she pursues a new trial. She believes there’s been evidentiary errors and other issues that violate the California Racial Justice Act. Despite all of that, it was decided later during the Wednesday hearing that Dixon would not be Lanez’s new lawyer. Orange County attorney Ed Welbourn will instead be substituting in for Barhoma, Cuniff reported.
Tory Lanez is due in court today. He’s got a new lawyer who wants to join his case. I talked to her last night.
“His eyes were black. He was totally despondent. He told me he wanted to go to state prison. I said, ‘You want to go to state prison? Why?'” https://t.co/Kvrkm34mhq
— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) July 12, 2023
RELATED: Tory Lanez Sentencing Has Been Pushed To August 7th
RELATED: Prosecutors Want Tory Lanez To Be Sentenced To 13 Years In Prison in Megan Thee Stallion Shooting
Lanez’s legal team posted a statement to his Instagram Story and seemingly denied reports that claim the entertainer is being taken advantage of by his lawyers and is in bad shape while in the slammer. His post from his official account reads:
“With all due respect, please disregard anything Megan Cuniff reports on Tory Lanez …
her objective, perspective/narrative has always been negative and extremely biased towards him … if there is an update on tory it will come from this page first if it doesn’t come from this page, it’s not real. With love – The Umbrella”
More On Tory Lanez’s Shooting Case With Megan Thee Stallion
As we previously reported, earlier this year, Tory Lanez was found guilty in the Los Angeles trial over the 2020 roadside shooting of Megan Thee Stallion.
Lanez, real name is Daystar Peterson, was found guilty of all three felony firearm counts over an incident in which fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion, whose real name is Megan Pete, alleged he shot her in the foot following a Hollywood Hills party at Kylie Jenner’s home.
When Is Sentencing?
At the request of his defense team, sentencing was delayed in June. However, Superior Court Judge David Herriford reset the date for Aug. 7.
Prosecutors are asking that the 30-year-old to be sentenced to 13 years in prison.