The killer of a famous Los Angeles rapper was sentenced Wednesday after a three-year legal drama.
Eric R. Holder Jr., 33, is likely to be in prison for the rest of his life for the murder of Nipsey Hussle. Hussle, born Airmiss Joseph Asghedum, was a Grammy-nominated rapper, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who was fatally shot outside a Marathon Clothing store in South LA in 2019. He was 33 years old.
Holder was sentenced to 50 years in prison for his role in the murder, as well as 10 years for shooting two other people that day.
Superior Court Judge H. Clay Jack II sentenced Holder in Los Angeles.
According to The Associated Press, Jack said, “I am very careful with what is presented about Mr. Holder’s mental health.” “I am also conscious of the devastation caused to the victims and their families. I believe this sentence balances the two.”
Jack sentenced Holder to 25 years for murder, an additional 25 years for aggravated assault with a firearm, and 10 years for assault with a firearm, the AP reports.
Last July, a Los Angeles County jury also found Holder guilty of two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter after two other people were wounded in a shooting at the crime scene.
Growing up, Hussle was involved in the same gang as Holder, and prosecutors said that Holder shot the rapper several times because Hussle had called Holder a “snitch”.
Hussle became a prominent advocate against gun violence and a community leader involved in developing his neighborhood and creating opportunities for children.
Prior to his murder, Hussle was scheduled to meet with LA Police Commissioner Steve Soboroff and LA Police Chief Michelle Moore about ways to prevent mass violence across the city.
Last August, Hussle was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame – on what would have been his 37th birthday.