The prison saga surrounding Tory Lanez has taken an unexpected turn after the man accused of stabbing the rapper now claims he acted in self-defense.
Santino Casio, already serving a life sentence for second-degree murder, admitted to the violent attack but reported he believed his life was in danger after allegedly hearing rumors that Lanez had placed a hit on him.
Earlier this month, Lanez—real name Daystar Peterson—was reportedly stabbed 14 times while serving a 10-year sentence. His legal team confirmed he sustained serious injuries, including wounds to his back, torso, head, and face, with both lungs collapsing. The brutal nature of the attack sparked calls for his release from supporters including Drake, Chris Brown, and Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, who urged California Governor Gavin Newsom to issue a pardon.
Casio claims the incident began on May 12 when he spotted a “suspicious lump” in Lanez’s pocket and, fearing it was a weapon, launched the attack. He insists he wasn’t trying to kill Lanez, pointing out that he suffered a stab wound to the leg himself—suggesting Lanez may have been armed.
Lanez’s legal team quickly dismissed Casio’s self-defense claim, calling it “absurd” and “baseless.” Accoridng to reports, they described the attack as “savage and ferocious” and reiterated that Lanez remains in danger while incarcerated. “His continued confinement is both a miscarriage of justice and a threat to his safety,” the statement read. “He must be released immediately.”
The incident has reignited public attention on Lanez’s case and its origins, with some critics again pointing to the events involving Megan Thee Stallion as the backdrop to his imprisonment. In response to renewed scrutiny, her legal team has shared evidence from the original trial in an effort to refocus the narrative.
