Tory Lanez’s Potential New Counsel Claims Star Convict Is Being ‘Taken Advantage Of’ By His Lawyers, Following Substitution Denial

A motion by Tory Lanez to add a new attorney to his legal team because the Canadian star feels he is “being taken advantage of” has been denied. On Wednesday, July 12, legal journalist Meghann Canniff watched as the judge rejected Ronda Renee Dixon’s request to represent Lanez instead of Matthew Barhoma. Before the court date, Dixon told Canniff that Lanez wants her to assist his current attorney, renowned Miami attorney Jose Baez, but that “He and I have some serious issues because he won’t talk to me.”

Dixon told Legal Affairs and Trials with Meghann Cuniff,

“These guys are just taking advantage of [Lanez] ,” “They’ve had him sign powers of attorneys. They’re acting on his behalf. … They’re not really asking him what he wants.”

Dixon also provided a copy of a motion she had written, in which she argued that Tory Lanez was receiving cruel and unusual punishment in prison due to his fame. She penned,

“Because Mr Peterson has viable, meritorious post-conviction litigation, this court should award bail,”

“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.”

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’s unclear why the motion was denied, despite Lanez, his previous lawyer, and Dixon signing a substitution of counsel last month.

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

On August 7, Tory Lanez will receive a formal sentence. The date was postponed when the presiding judge granted a continuance to the lawyers for the Canadian star last month. This was the third postponement of the sentencing date. It was initially scheduled for January 2, or about a month after his conviction. However, because Lanez had a new attorney, the judge postponed the sentencing until February 28.

On February 28, the rapper from Canada filed a motion for a new trial, ultimately denied, delaying the deadline even further. Because of the alleged shooting of Megan Thee Stallion, Tory Lanez could receive a maximum sentence of 22 years and eight months in prison and be deported to his home country of Canada.