A state appeals court in California has upheld the first-degree murder conviction of Eric Ronald Holder Jr. for the killing of rapper Nipsey Hussle.
The incident occurred on March 31, 2019, outside Hussle's clothing store in South Los Angeles. Holder, now 34, is serving a 60-years-to-life sentence for the murder of the 33-year-old rapper, whose real name was Ermias Joseph Asghedom.
The three-justice panel from California's 2nd District Court of Appeal rejected the defense's challenge to Superior Court Judge H. Clay Jacke's decision, which sustained the prosecution's objection to a portion of the closing argument by Holder's trial attorney.
Presiding Justice Elwood Lui noted that "Appellant did not testify, and no other evidence about what appellant was thinking or feeling prior to the shooting was presented to the jury." Therefore, the inferences drawn by the defense counsel were not based on evidence, and the trial court did not abuse its discretion in limiting that portion of the argument.
Holder was also found guilty in July 2022 of two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter and assault with a firearm involving two other men injured in the shooting.
The court emphasized its responsibility to consider the mitigation evidence presented by the defense, particularly regarding Holder's history of mental illness. Despite this, the judge declined to dismiss a gun enhancement that added 25 years to life to Holder's sentence, finding that the trial court properly exercised its discretion.
During the trial, Deputy District Attorney John McKinney described the killing as "cold-blooded" and "calculated," highlighting that Holder had "quite a bit of time for premeditation and deliberation" before returning to the scene and shooting Hussle multiple times.
Defense attorney Aaron Jansen argued that the crime occurred in the "heat of passion" after Hussle allegedly called Holder a "snitch."
Holder has been incarcerated since his arrest two days after the shooting. His attorney stated that he surrendered at a mental health clinic in Bellflower. Following Hussle's death, thousands attended a service in his honor, with tributes from figures like Stevie Wonder and Snoop Dogg.
Former President Barack Obama praised Hussle's vision for his community, noting that he saw potential and hope where others saw despair.
Hussle was posthumously honored with two Grammy Awards in 2020, and his murder has had a profound impact on the community, as noted by community activist Najee Ali and close friend Herman Douglas. Despite the conviction, questions about the motive for the killing remain, with Douglas expressing the community's ongoing grief and loss.
Comments