Eric R. Holder Jr. has been found guilty of first-degree murder for shooting rapper Nipsey Hussle.
The New York Times reports that a California jury came to the decision less than an hour into their second day of deliberations. The 32-year-old was also found guilty of two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of possessing a firearm as a felon.
On March 31, 2019, Holder shot and killed Hussle, aged 33, in front of the rapper's Marathon Clothing store in Los Angeles, devastating the hip-hop community. Holder was arrested two days afterwards and charged with the MC's murder in April 2019. He pleaded not guilty and has been incarcerated since, his trial beginning in early June of this year after multiple delays (pandemic-related and beyond).
During the trial, public Defender Aaron Jansen argued that Hussle's killing was not premeditated, calling it a crime committed in "the heat of passion."
According to testimony, there was tension about whether Holder had been cooperating with law enforcement over alleged gang activity, and the defendant felt like he had been accused of snitching. Hussle had spoken openly about being affiliated with the Rollin' 60s Crips in his youth, but was known for focussing on local community-building in adulthood.
Holder's sentencing will take place September 15. He could face life in prison.
Hussle's posthumous verses have been featured on tracks by the likes of DJ Khaled and Mustard, and the MC was honoured by Meek Mill and Roddy Ricch with "Letter to Nipsey," which they performed during the 2020 Grammys.
The New York Times reports that a California jury came to the decision less than an hour into their second day of deliberations. The 32-year-old was also found guilty of two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of possessing a firearm as a felon.
On March 31, 2019, Holder shot and killed Hussle, aged 33, in front of the rapper's Marathon Clothing store in Los Angeles, devastating the hip-hop community. Holder was arrested two days afterwards and charged with the MC's murder in April 2019. He pleaded not guilty and has been incarcerated since, his trial beginning in early June of this year after multiple delays (pandemic-related and beyond).
During the trial, public Defender Aaron Jansen argued that Hussle's killing was not premeditated, calling it a crime committed in "the heat of passion."
According to testimony, there was tension about whether Holder had been cooperating with law enforcement over alleged gang activity, and the defendant felt like he had been accused of snitching. Hussle had spoken openly about being affiliated with the Rollin' 60s Crips in his youth, but was known for focussing on local community-building in adulthood.
Holder's sentencing will take place September 15. He could face life in prison.
Hussle's posthumous verses have been featured on tracks by the likes of DJ Khaled and Mustard, and the MC was honoured by Meek Mill and Roddy Ricch with "Letter to Nipsey," which they performed during the 2020 Grammys.
