Tory Lanez has been ordered to answer questions again in Megan Thee Stallion’s defamation lawsuit against Milagro Gramz after two failed depositions.
In a court order from Judge Lisette M. Reid on Oct. 30, Lanez’s lawyer’s claim that deposition testimony could hurt his ongoing appeal of his criminal shooting conviction was struck down after the judge thought it was “unclear” how there would be any impact.
“The focus of Mr. Peterson’s deposition is his relationship with defendant Cooper, not with plaintiff,” wrote the judge. “Thus, the court does not see how testimony regarding Mr. Peterson’s communications and relationship with the defendant would serve to prejudice his criminal appeal.”
Judge Reid wrote that Lanez must be deposed, and he can use his Fifth Amendment right against self incrimination “on a question-by-question basis, the propriety of which will be decided by the undersigned who will be supervising the deposition.”
For months now, Megan’s attorneys have been attempting to depose the incarcerated singer but have yet to be able to do so to their satisfaction. In April, Megan’s lawyers deposed Lanez and wrote in a motion that he “feigned ignorance regarding the definition of basic words” and harassed a member of the rapper’s legal team about her appearance.
Additionally, the lawyers claim that Lanez “pretended that the video equipment was not working despite prison staff confirming it was functioning properly.”
After being held in contempt for that behavior and ordered to sit for a second deposition, this time under the supervision of a judge, he came to the courthouse with a new lawyer who asserted that he wouldn’t answer any questions because of his concerns about the appeal.
The third attempt at Lanez’ deposition is set to be held “at a date agreed upon by all parties,” according to Judge Reid’s motion. She also says she may make Lanez repay Megan’s lawyers for all of the time that they’ve spent due to his shenanigans.
Megan and Gramz’s trial date begins on Nov. 17. She went public with the lawsuit last October with a lengthy statement about the situation.
“It’s time to hold bloggers accountable for years of harassment, cyberbullying, and the publication of misinformation about my personal and professional life,” Megan said. “I’ve endured countless attacks on my character based on false narratives from social media bloggers misrepresenting themselves as journalists. It’s unacceptable behavior and these individuals need to understand there will be repercussions for recklessly posting lies and defamatory falsehoods.”
Last month, Lanez filed a protective order requesting that he not be subject to any more questioning in the case — even if the lawsuit alleges that Gramz acted on Lanez’s behalf with her “campaign of harassment.”