Tory Lanez Files $100 Million Lawsuit Against California Prison System
Incarcerated Canadian rapper Tory Lanez has initiated a substantial $100 million lawsuit against the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, following a brutal prison assault in which he was stabbed sixteen times. The legal action, filed by Lanez—whose legal name is Daystar Peterson—alleges a profound "failure to protect" and "deliberate indifference" by corrections officers at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi.
Details of the Violent Assault and Alleged Negligence
The complaint, obtained by media outlets, details a harrowing incident in May 2025. Lanez, aged 33, was attacked by fellow inmate Santino Casio using a makeshift shank. The assault resulted in Lanez being stabbed repeatedly in the head, face, back, and torso, leading to two collapsed lungs and significant blood loss. Surveillance footage reportedly captures the terrifying moment Casio charges at Lanez near a prison staircase, with the rapper screaming in agony as he is repeatedly stabbed while corrections officers allegedly failed to intervene effectively.
Lanez's legal team contends that the prison system showed deliberate indifference by housing him near Casio, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence for second-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. They argue that standard protocols requiring segregation based on risk factors, criminal history, and violence potential were ignored. The lawsuit specifically names Warden Danny Samuel and accuses officers of not utilizing standard intervention tools like flash grenades, smoke bombs, or rubber ammunition to halt the attack.
Substantial Damages and Career Impact Claims
The lawsuit outlines severe physical, emotional, and financial repercussions from the stabbing. Lanez claims the facial scarring from the wounds is permanent and will detrimentally impact his commercial potential and career upon release. In a striking demand, he is seeking "$1 million per stab wound," amounting to $16 million, alongside $10 million for career harm due to scarring and $25 million for pain and suffering.
Furthermore, the complaint alleges that during Lanez's hospitalization, prison authorities unlawfully seized his original song books containing unpublished lyrics of substantial commercial value, along with privileged attorney notes. These items were reportedly never inventoried or returned, contributing to the total $100 million claim, which also includes restitution for emotional trauma, reputational damage, and ongoing safety risks.
Background and Broader Context
Tory Lanez is currently serving a ten-year sentence following his 2023 conviction for shooting fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion in the feet in 2020. He was found guilty of first-degree assault with a firearm, discharge of a firearm with gross negligence, and possessing a concealed firearm in a vehicle. At his sentencing, Lanez expressed remorse, stating, "If I could turn back the series of events that night and change them, I would." Megan Thee Stallion testified about the lasting impact, saying she "will never be the same."
Since the stabbing, Lanez has been transferred to the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo. He claims his high-profile status made him a target within the prison system. Investigations by CCI's Investigative Services Unit, the Kern County District Attorney's Office, and the Office of the Inspector General were initiated but have not yet released findings. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has declined to comment on the pending litigation.
Lanez is scheduled to become eligible for parole in August 2029, according to California prison records. This lawsuit highlights significant concerns regarding inmate safety and institutional accountability within the state's correctional facilities.
