Metro Boomin Found Not Liable in Sexual Assault Case

A Los Angeles jury has cleared acclaimed producer Metro Boomin of all allegations in a sexual assault lawsuit. The verdict, delivered swiftly on Thursday, found the artist—legally named Leland T. Wayne—not responsible on four counts, including rape and sexual battery. This decision brings a rapid end to the case filed by Vanessa LeMaistre, as first reported by Rolling Stone.

The lawsuit, which LeMaistre initiated in October 2024, centered on an encounter that allegedly took place during a 2016 visit to Las Vegas. According to her account, she and Wayne connected over shared experiences with depression following the death of her son. After consuming a shot of alcohol and part of a Xanax bar to manage her anxiety, LeMaistre stated she lost consciousness and later awoke in an unfamiliar location, where she claimed the assault occurred while she drifted in and out of awareness. She further alleged becoming pregnant weeks after the incident and subsequently having an abortion. Legal experts often point out that delayed reporting, as seen here, can complicate the establishment of clear evidence, presenting a well-known hurdle in such proceedings.

An unusual aspect of the plaintiff's argument involved the 2017 song "Rap Saved Me," produced by Metro Boomin and featuring 21 Savage, Offset, and Quavo. LeMaistre's legal team contended that specific lyrics, including "She took a Xanny, then she fainted" and "She drive me crazy, have my baby," directly mirrored the events she described. This effort to treat artistic expression as factual evidence underscores a legally fraught strategy. As one commentator observed, "Courts are generally reluctant to interpret song lyrics literally, given the creative license inherent in music."

The trial commenced this past Tuesday and was immediately contentious. A motion for a mistrial was filed by LeMaistre's attorneys after the defense broached her sexual history—a subject typically requiring judicial approval in sexual assault cases. Throughout the proceedings, Wayne's lawyer, Lawrence Hinkle II, strongly denied the accusations, having previously labeled the suit an extortion attempt. Hinkle had vowed that his client would pursue a malicious prosecution claim upon being vindicated, a step that now appears probable following the acquittal.

Metro Boomin, born Leland Tyler Wayne in St. Louis, Missouri, is a Grammy-nominated architect of modern trap music, renowned for his moody, cinematic soundscapes. His production credits include era-defining hits for top-tier artists such as Future, Drake, and The Weeknd, solidifying his influence over the past decade's hip-hop landscape.