Tory Lanez was found guilty of felony assault on Tuesday for shooting and injuring hip-hop icon Megan Thee Stallion in July 2020, and he was given a sentence of 10 years in prison without the possibility of parole.

The hip-hop artist, whose real name is Megan Pete, was shot and injured by Lanez, 31, on December 23, 2022. Lanez’s sentencing was originally scheduled for January, but it was repeatedly postponed after he hired new lawyers and asked for a new trial. In May, the request for a new trial was rejected.

The sentence was “extreme,” according to Lanez’s attorney Jose Baez, who told reporters outside the courtroom on Tuesday afternoon. The rapper’s defense team intends to file an appeal.

Baez stated, “Tory did not receive the sentence that we had undoubtedly hoped for.” “I believe the sentence imposed was incredibly harsh,”

He is not being used as an example; rather, he is a human being. “This is another example of someone being punished for their celebrity status and someone being utilized as a — to send an example,” Baez continued. “I find it to be very unfortunate, and we intend to appeal to it,” the speaker said.

Lanez is “down” and “sad,” according to Baez, as he considers the time he will miss with his son while he is serving his sentence.

In December, a jury found 31-year-old Lanez, who had pleaded not guilty, guilty of three felonies: assault with a semi-automatic weapon, transportation of a loaded, unregistered firearm, and grossly negligent discharge of a firearm.

Before the judge delivered his ruling, Lanez spoke in front of the court while dressed in an orange jumpsuit. He expressed regret for his behavior and claimed full accountability for the 2020 shooting.

He said, “If I could change it, I would, but I can’t.” He continued, “I take full responsibility for everything I did that night. “I genuinely just want to try to be a better person,”

After the sentence was given, Lanez acted surprised but kept quiet. As she was led from the courtroom, his son’s mother started crying.

A member of Lanez’s legal team named Matthew Barhoma stated that appeals of the sentence and conviction are anticipated. When the team appeals the verdict, it will also submit a bail application. 

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David Herriford stated in imposing his sentence that it was “difficult to reconcile” the devoted father and devout philanthropist many described with the person who shot Megan five times.

Herriford remarked that “sometimes good people do bad things.” “Actions have consequences, and in this case, nobody is a winner.”

Alex Bott, a deputy district attorney, claimed Lanez intimidated and harassed Megan and called her a liar.

After the sentence was handed down, Bott remarked, “Not only did the defendant commit the heinous act of shooting her; he also subjected her to two and a half years of hell.”

Additionally, Lanez might have been deported to Canada.

Regarding whether Lanez will be deported, one of his attorneys, Jose Baez, said, “We’re nowhere near that yet.”

His attorneys argued for probation and suggested that he be released from custody to enter a residential substance abuse program in an effort to obtain a lighter sentence. They asserted that Lanez suffers from alcohol abuse disorder, anxiety, and unexpected trauma post-traumatic stress disorder that came from the death of his mother when he was 11 years old.

The claims, which were not brought up during the trial, prompted the prosecution to declare themselves “skeptical.”

In her testimony, Megan claimed that Lanez yelled at her to “dance” and fired a gun at her feet as she exited the SUV they were traveling in with two other people. She testified in court that when the police asked her why her feet were bleeding, she at first claimed that she had cut them on glass. She needed surgery after hospital staff discovered bullet fragments in her foot.

She admitted to lying to police at first because she was afraid of getting into a more dangerous situation in an interview with Gayle King for “CBS Mornings” in April, just before the trial.

You think I’m going to call the police and say that we have a gun in the car because we’re Black? She spoke. You want me to inform the authorities that we have a gun in the car so they can kill us all, right?

Megan also spoke about the ongoing physical pain she experiences in her song “Shots Fired,” which she wrote about the shooting and addressed in an Instagram Live video in which she identified Lanez as the shooter.

For a while, I was unable to walk, she admitted. “My nerves are still damaged. My left foot’s side feels numb to me. Even though the backs of my feet are always sore, I keep going.

She testified in court that Lanez had offered her $1 million in exchange for her silence.

Lanez did not testify at the trial despite devoting an entire album to disputing her account of the events. His attorneys argued that Megan’s testimony that Lanez asked her not to contact the police because he was on parole was untrue and disputed the accuracy of the DNA evidence used by the prosecution to identify him as the shooter.

Additionally, Megan and her ex-friend Kelsey Nicole Harris, who was also in the car at the time of the incident, got into a fight about Lanez and other men, according to his legal team, who described the trial as a “case about jealousy.”

In a world that possesses immense wealth and resources, it is disheartening to witness certain countries struggling with extreme poverty and economic hardships. Amidst civil wars, political instability, and the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the plight of the world’s weakest economies worsens. In this article, we will explore the top 10 poorest countries in the world, their challenges, and the factors contributing to their economic vulnerability.

1. South Sudan

Topping the list as the world’s poorest country is South Sudan. Since its inception in 2011, the nation has been grappling with continuous violence and social divisions. Despite being rich in oil reserves, political instability and corruption have hindered the equitable distribution of resources and economic development. With a majority of the population engaged in traditional agriculture, recurrent conflicts and extreme climate events further exacerbate food insecurity, hindering the nation’s progress.

2. Burundi

Burundi ranks as the second-poorest country in the world. Landlocked and lacking in natural resources, it has faced the aftermath of a 12-year civil war that left scars on its socio-economic fabric. The heavy reliance on subsistence agriculture has contributed to high levels of food insecurity, significantly above the average for sub-Saharan African countries. Despite efforts to revitalize the economy and repair diplomatic ties, sluggish growth and inflation continue to pose challenges.

3. Central African Republic (CAR)

Rich in gold, oil, uranium, and diamonds, the Central African Republic paradoxically remains among the world’s poorest countries. Cycles of severe flooding and dry spells, coupled with the sharp increase in essential goods’ prices due to the war in Ukraine, have intensified the nation’s hardships. Approximately half of the CAR’s population is experiencing acute food insecurity, highlighting the urgency of addressing the country’s economic weaknesses.

4. Somalia

Somalia, the fourth-poorest country in the world, has suffered from a multitude of challenges, including coronavirus outbreaks, floods, and a devastating locust infestation. The country is also grappling with attempts by Islamist insurgents to overthrow the central government, all while dealing with the worst drought in four decades. As humanitarian agencies struggle to provide aid to nearly half of the population in need, Somalia’s plight remains critical.

5. Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Despite being rich in natural resources like cobalt and copper, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has faced decades of political instability, dictatorship, and violence. With the majority of its population living on less than two dollars a day, the country’s potential for growth and development remains untapped. Leveraging its abundant resources to drive economic prosperity remains a significant challenge for the DRC.

6. Mozambique

Mozambique, with its strategic location and rich resources, should have seen robust economic growth. However, the country faces frequent attacks by Islamic insurgent groups in its gas-rich northern region. It remains to be seen how the positive economic outlook projected by the IMF and World Bank for Mozambique will help it break free from its position among the world’s poorest countries.

7. Niger

Niger’s landlocked territory, coupled with the Sahara Desert covering 80% of its land, poses significant challenges. The nation’s growing population relies heavily on small-scale agriculture, making it vulnerable to desertification and food insecurity. However, Niger has been experiencing improvements in its economy since 2021, but it remains to be seen how the recent coup that has seen the inaugurated President Mohamed Bazoum removed from office and returned the country to military rule will affect the country’s economy.

8. Malawi

Malawi’s economy, predominantly dependent on rain-fed crops, faces vulnerability to weather-related shocks. Political uncertainties and slow structural changes following a constitutional court’s annulment of a former president’s re-election have hampered economic growth. High levels of food insecurity persist in rural areas, demanding urgent attention.

9. Chad

Chad, a nation blessed with vast oil reserves, stands as a perplexing paradox in the world of economics. Despite having Africa’s tenth-largest oil reserves, the country has long been mired in the depths of poverty, grappling with a plethora of challenges that have hindered its economic progress. From mismanagement and corruption to conflicts and an unforgiving climate, Chad’s journey to prosperity has been fraught with obstacles.

10. Liberia

Africa’s oldest republic, Liberia, is one of the poorest countries. Despite having a former football star as its president, inflation, unemployment, and negative economic growth have hindered progress, leaving many citizens in dire economic conditions.

Conclusion

The top 10 weakest economies in the world face a complex web of challenges, including political instability, conflicts, climate-related issues, and a lack of access to resources. While some nations show signs of improvement and resilience, the road to economic recovery remains steep. Addressing these underlying issues and providing targeted support to these nations is vital in ensuring a better future for their citizens and elevating them from the grips of poverty.

The information used in this article was obtained from Global Finance Magazine.

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A well-known American singer, actor, and movie producer is John Cusimano. In addition, he sings lead for the indie rock group The Cringe. But the majority of people recognize him as Rachael Ray’s husband, a well-known celebrity chef, TV personality, and cookbook author. 

The multi-talented musician and producer also works as a lawyer. Over 16 years have passed since he wed Rachael Ray. John frequently makes appearances in his wife’s TV programs and takes part in her writing endeavors. See more information about him here. 

John Cusimano Bio

John has Italian ancestry. His grandfather is an Italian native of Palermo. His grandmothers are both from Spain’s Catalonia, one of them from Naples. 

John Cusimano Parents

The parents of John Cusimano are unknown to the general public. On his Instagram page, he only shared a photo of himself with them. 

Where was John Cusimano born? 

The United States’ Long Island is where John M. Cusimano was born. While still a young child, he picked up the piano and singing, and he always yearned to join a band and play live. 

How old is John Cusimano? 

John Cusimano was born on August 19, 1967, making his age 54 as of July 2022. 

How tall is John Cusimano? 

John Cusimano stands 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 m) tall and weighs approximately 60 kg. 

Education 

Cusimano graduated from a neighborhood high school on Long Island in 1985 and enrolled at the State University of New York. In 1989, he earned a BA in law. 

The actor then went on to the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University in New York City, where he graduated in 1994 with a Master of Arts in Law. 

Career

Cusimano debuted at the age of 15 in the 1982 film World War Mud and later in the Crashing (2017–2019) series. His production credits include Rurouni Kenshin: Wandering Samurai (1996–1998) and Biography (1987), both of which received high ratings. He started out as a lawyer while singing and playing guitar for The Cringe band in New York and New Jersey. Early in the new millennium, the band was formed, and since then, five albums have been released: Scratch the Surface, Hiding in Plain Sight, Blind Spot, Play Thing, and Tipping. 

John M. Cusimano and his band would appear at events hosted by other well-known musical ensembles, such as Tesla, Steel Panther, and New York Dolls. 

John Cusimano marriage 

John Cusimano and Rachel Ray were married in a private ceremony at the Castello di Verona in Italy in 2005. The couple’s dog, Isaboo, passed away in May 2020, and they are without children. He is Rachel Ray’s only husband.

How did John Cusimano and Rachael Ray meet? 

At a friend’s party in 2004, John Cusimano and Rachel Ray got to know one another. She assumed he was gay as they conversed and considered setting him up with her friend, a different Italian man. 

John said he was not gay as the conversation came to an end at four in the morning. Before walking down the aisle on September 25, 2005, the couple dated for several months. 

Rachel Ray’s Children 

In 2007, Rachel Ray’s daughter Rachel told People magazine that they weren’t ready to have children because she was too busy working to be a good parent. Due to her inability to provide enough care for her dog on some days, she even began to feel guilty. 

John Cusimano net worth? 

The estimated net worth of John Cusimano is $10 million. His wife, meanwhile, has a $100 million net worth. 

John Cusimano occupation? 

If you’re curious what John Cusimano does, read on. Cusimano is a lawyer, musician on an instrument, actor, producer of motion pictures, author, and mixologist.