Overview

• Attorneys argued before California’s Second District Court of Appeal on Aug. 18 as Lanez seeks to overturn his 2022 conviction.
• Defense lawyer Laura L. Cepero told judges DNA on the gun was mischaracterized, calling it marginally more likely another African American person touched it and citing a one-in-a-million probability for Lanez.
• The defense also alleged a violation of confrontation rights, saying cross-examination of key witness Kelsey Harris was restricted and jurors were misled about expected testimony from Justin Edison.
• Deputy Attorney General Michael C. Keller said the evidence was compelling and pointed to three moments he described as tacit admissions, including an apologetic text Lanez testified was unrelated to the shooting.
• The court recently denied two habeas petitions on Aug. 12, a written decision on the current appeal is expected in the coming weeks or months, and Lanez remains incarcerated serving a 10-year sentence.