On Wednesday, a judge announced that the man responsible for fatally shooting rapper Nipsey Hussle will serve a sentence of 60 years to life in prison, as expected. The defendant, Eric R. Holder, Jr., was found guilty of first-degree murder in July, for the shooting and killing of Hussle outside his clothing store in South Los Angeles in March 2019. Two bystanders were also injured during the shooting and Holder was convicted for his involvement in attempted voluntary manslaughter.
Despite several months of delayed hearings and a motion for a new trial, the defense attorney’s attempts to reduce the conviction were denied by Judge H. Clay Jacke late last year.
During the murder trial, prosecutors argued that the attack was premeditated, stemming from a prior dispute between Holder and Hussle. The argument arose from Hussle hearing that Holder was a snitch and wanting to clear that up. Both were aspiring rappers from South Los Angeles and had known each other for years prior to the shooting. Deputy District Attorney John McKinney claimed that Holder had planned to kill Hussle and shot him at least 10 times before kicking him in the head and fleeing the scene.
While the murder conviction carries a sentence of 25 years to life in prison, Holder’s sentence for the combined charges of murder and attempted manslaughter is 60 years to life in prison.
According to the AP, Holder’s attorney Aaron Jansen argued that the murder was not planned and was a result of “heated passion.” Jansen also claimed that Holder had accidentally shot the two bystanders. However, the jury did not find these arguments convincing, and Holder was convicted of first-degree murder and attempted voluntary manslaughter.
Following the conviction, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón paid tribute to Hussle, a Grammy-nominated artist, business owner, and community advocate whose death had a profound impact on Los Angeles. Hussle’s passing was widely mourned by fans, celebrities, and political leaders, and his legacy continues to inspire and influence people around the world.
“Nipsey Hussle was a beloved member of our community,” Gascón said in a statement, noting that improved local education and violence prevention were at the forefront of Hussle’s public platform, and he had already taken significant steps to address both issues prior to his death. “His legacy will continue to inspire our work,” Gascón continued.
