Eric R Holder Jr, 33, was convicted of murdering the Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist in 2019.
A Los Angeles magistrate has sentenced the murderer of rapper Nipsey Hussle to at least 60 years in prison.
Eric R Holder Jr, 33, was convicted of murdering the Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist in 2019.
The rapper, who was also 33 years old, was murdered outside the clothing store he founded in the same south Los Angeles neighborhood where both men grew up.
County Court Judge H Clay Jacke II sentenced him to 60 years to life after a month-long trial. Holder was not a candidate for the death penalty.
Holder was also convicted guilty of two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter and two counts of assault with a firearm for shooting two other men at the scene who survived.
Judge Jacke sentenced Holder to 25 years to life for homicide, 25 more for a firearm enhancement, and 10 for assault with a firearm.
After approximately six hours of deliberation, the jury returned with a verdict of first-degree murder.
The evidence against Holder was overwhelming, with eyewitnesses and surveillance cameras from local businesses showing his arrival, the gunshot, and his departure.
During the trial, Holders’ counsel also admitted that he had shot Hussle.
Hussle and Holder were Rollin’ 60s singers who grew up in South Los Angeles.
Holder, however, did not attain the same success as Hussle, who became famous and critically acclaimed in the music industry.
Hussle’s companion, the actress Lauren London, and none of his family members were present at any point during the trial. None are anticipated to provide victim impact statements.
Herman “Cowboy” Douglas, a close friend of Hussle who was with him when he was killed, told the court that Hussle’s assassination was a tremendous loss for both himself and the South Los Angeles community, where the rapper was a business leader and an inspiration.
“Nipsey was my companion, he was like a son, he was like a father,” Douglas said. “Our community has lost everything, including everything we labored for. A community was ruined by one man’s error and action.”
Douglas added: “I don’t care what you give this man. It’s not about the moment. I just want to know why. The universe is curious as to why. Why would someone do that?”
Aaron Jansen, Holder’s counsel, expressed “deep disappointment” in the verdict, which he intended to appeal.
