Lanez has retained David Kenner, the legendary criminal defense attorney whose clients have included former Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight, according to legal writer Meghann Cuniff, who covered the high-profile trial. Kenner also defended Snoop Dogg at his acquittal for murder in 1996.
“Regarding Tory Lanez’s Tuesday court date, yes, there is a date listed on the jail roster,” Cuniff tweeted. “It’s not on Judge Herriford’s calendar, and he’s got a bunch of other stuff at the time. Attorney David Kenner confirmed to me last week he’s now representing Tory.”
Regarding Tory Lanez's Tuesday court date, yes, there is a date listed on the jail roster. It's not on Judge Herriford's calendar, and he's got a bunch of other stuff at the time. Attorney David Kenner confirmed to me last week he's now representing Tory. pic.twitter.com/gDGlHtovzP
— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) January 8, 2023
Lanez was found guilty on December 23 in the July 2020 shooting of the "Savage" rapper. A Los Angeles judge sentenced him on all three charges of assault with a semiautomatic pistol, carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and firing a firearm with gross negligence after a nine-day trial and seven hours of deliberation.
"Anyone with actual criminal law experience (not all attorneys) will tell you he's joining the case a bit late: Before trial would have been better," Cuniff says.
A hearing has been set for Tuesday. While Kenner's employment might be part of an effort to overturn Lanez's conviction, "any post-conviction motion claiming faulty evidence or witness testimony is highly unlikely to happen this quickly," according to Cuniff.
Some clues about what's going on: Prosecutors tried to add a bribery count to Tory's charges during trial, which the judge rejected. Any post-conviction motion from David Kenner regarding false evidence or witness testimony is very unlikely to come this quick.
— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) January 8, 2023
Lanez, who is currently arrested since his conviction, faces up to 22 years in jail and the possibility of deportation to his native country of Canada when he is sentenced on Jan. 27.