Eric Holder won’t be able to sidestep his conviction for the murder of Nipsey Hussle. According to AllHipHop, the conviction was upheld by a three-judge panel.
The appeals court notes: “Nothing in the trial court’s rulings prevented appellant from arguing objective and subjective provocation to the jury or from clearly articulating the defense theory that ‘appellant acted in the heat of passion as a result of being publicly called a snitch’ by ‘the famous, the great Nipsey Hussle,’ The trial court did not abuse its discretion in prohibiting defense counsel from telling the jury what appellant was thinking and feeling at the time of the shooting to explain appellant’s conduct.”
Holder was previously sentenced to 60 years in prison after being found guilty of first-degree murder, attempted voluntary manslaughter, assault with a firearm, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Nipsey Hussle’s murder was a devastating moment for hip hop culture. Unlike so many of the fallen rappers before him, however, his killer was brought to justice. Eric Holder was convicted and given a 60 year sentence in 2023. Holder has tried to appeal his sentencing in the year since, but his efforts appear to have been in vain. AllHipHop obtained court documents on November 5, claiming that the California Appeals Court has rejected Holder’s appeal outright.
Eric Holder was convicted of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter and two counts of assault with a firearm for shooting two men. He was given 25 years to life for the murder, 25 years for the firearm sentencing and 10 years for assault with a firearm. Holder claimed to have been affected by mental illness throughout his life, which Judge H. Clay Jacke II took into account during the sentencing. “I am very mindful of what was presented as to Mr. Holder’s mental health,” Jacke asserted. “[I’m] also mindful of the devastation caused to the victims and their families. I believe this sentence balances the two.”
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 01: A photo of rapper Nipsey Hussle, 33, is seen among candles as people gather to mourn him on April 1, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The Grammy-nominated artist was gunned down in broad daylight two days ago in front of The Marathon Clothing store he founded in 2017 on the day he was scheduled to meet with Los Angeles Police Department brass to discuss ways of stopping gang violence. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
Holder’s appeal was rejected on the grounds that the defense did not make a compelling case. The California Appeals Court issued a lengthy statement detailing the ways in which Eric Holder’s case was fairly executed. “The trial court fully understood and properly exercised its discretion when it declined to dismiss the firearm enhancement,” the statement read. The statement also noted that the court did not “abuse its discretion” when it came to prohibiting Holder’s defense. “Nothing in the trial court’s rulings prevented appellant from arguing objective and subjective provocation to the jury,” the statement added.
Holder’s upheld conviction was met with praise from Nipsey Hussle’s fanbase. Many felt a sense of relief when Holder was originally convicted, and the same was true following confirmation that he will continue to be behind bars. This, of course, will not take away the loss. Herman “Cowboy” Douglas, a close friend of Nipsey Hussle, said it best following Holder’s conviction. “One man’s mistake, one man’s action,” he told KTLA 5. “[It] messed up a whole community.”
Back in 2023, Holder was sentenced to 60 years to life in prison. Since then, Holder has fought to appeal the court’s decision filing arguments against closing trial arguments. However, according to AllHipHop, Holder’s efforts case has been rejected.
Based on documents obtained by the outlet, a three judge panel in California’s Second District Court of Appeal have ruled to uphold Holder’s conviction, which includes first-degree murder, two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter and two counts of assault with a firearm for shooting two separate men (both survived).
Read the court’s decision below.
Nothing in the trial court’s rulings prevented appellant from arguing objective and subjective provocation to the jury or from clearly articulating the defense theory that ‘appellant acted in the heat of passion as a result of being publicly called a snitch’ by ‘the famous, the great Nipsey Hussle. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in prohibiting defense counsel from telling the jury what appellant was thinking and feeling at the time of the shooting to explain appellant’s conduct.
Contrary to appellant’s claim, the record here affirmatively shows the trial court fully understood and properly exercised its discretion when it declined to dismiss the firearm enhancement,” the three-judge panel ruled. “Highlighting the evidence that appellant used not one, but two guns in his violent attack which killed [Nipsey] and wounded [Kerry] Lathan and [Shermi] Villanueva, the court declared its finding ‘by clear and convincing evidence’ that dismissal of any enhancements in this case ‘would endanger public safety’ … The court emphasized its responsibility to consider and evaluate the mitigation evidence presented by the defense, particularly the evidence of appellant’s history of mental illness, and it indicated that the sentence it was about to pronounce balanced appellant’s mitigating evidence with the devastation appellant had caused to the victims and their families.
Bricc Baby says he was “sick” when he found out it was his “little bro,” Eric Holder, who killed Nipsey Hussle back in 2019. He detailed his initial reaction to the news that the legendary West Coast rapper had been killed during a recent sit-down with VladTV.
As Vlad described the murder of Nipsey, Bricc described it as “overkill.” As for his initial reaction, Bricc explained that he was in jail at the time and didn’t believe what he was hearing. Once he realized the story seemed to be true, he says he ran to the phone for confirmation. His friend on the other line hinted that it was somebody Bricc knew, but needed to find a way to tell him over the jail phone. Once he learned it was Holder, his mourning turned to stress. “I’m catching on, but my tears freeze up, they immediately stop because now I’m like this is bigger. I can’t even mourn this situation,” he said. “My head just went automatically to politics.”
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 22: Eric Holder, center, listens during sentencing proceeding in the murder of Nipsey Hussle in Superior Court on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, in Los Angeles, CA. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Hussle was shot and killed in the parking lot of his store, Marathon Clothing, on March 31, 2019. A few days later, police arrested Holder. In 2022, a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter relating to injuries he caused to bystanders during the incident. He’s currently serving a 60-year prison sentence.
Bricc Baby Discusses His Friendship With Eric Holder
Check out Bricc’s full comments on Eric Holder and the killing below. In the wake of Nipsey’s death, tons of prominent voices in hip-hop shared tributes mourning the rapper. Be on the lookout for further updates on Bricc Baby and Nipsey Hussle on HotNewHipHop.
Nipsey Hussle’s brother, Blacc Sam, spoke about the late rapper’s death in a rare lengthy interview with Big Boy for his Off Air Series on Friday. In doing so, he reflected on the moments leading up to the shooting and his theory for what was going through the killer’s head. Police charged Eric Holder with the shooting and he was found guilty of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter three years later. Holder is currently serving a 60-year prison sentence.
“Somebody come to the shop, they know we in the doorway,” Sam began. “When Hussle pull up, we in the doorway. You’re gonna see me with a hoodie on and I got a pistol on me. You’re gonna see one of my team members in the hoodie in the doorway with a pistol. That’s protocol when Hussle pull up. So, it’s Sunday. It’s busy in there. Why the n***a in there didn’t follow the protocol? I wasn’t there. Why they didn’t follow it? Maybe they was f*cking around, helping a customer who was doing some f*cking customer service. This is what I’m thinking, trying to transition into some legitimate, just selling clothes. But nobody was in the doorway.” From there, he walked through the steps of the killing and described it as premeditated.
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 22: Eric Holder, center, listens during sentencing proceeding in the murder of Nipsey Hussle in Superior Court on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, in Los Angeles, CA. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Sam went on to theorize that wearing the red shirt was a “throw-off.” “I felt he was supposed to do a job or somebody sent him and he was nervous. He was supposed to hit that alley with that red shirt immediately. He didn’t do that,” he continued.
Blacc Sam Reflects On The Death Of Nipsey Hussle
Blacc Sam recalls what he think happened to Nipsey Hussle.
Says Eric Holder walked up with no shirt on first.
“I felt he was supposed to do a job or somebody sent him and he was nervous. He was supposed to hit that alley with that red shirt immediately. He didn’t do that.” pic.twitter.com/orOT4EpOIx
Elsewhere in the interview, he discussed growing up with Hussle, the start of his music career, and much more. Check out his full comments on the shooting above. Be on the lookout for further updates on Nipsey Hussle on HotNewHipHop.
On February 22, 2023, Eric Holder, the man convicted of taking the life of rap superstar Nipsey Hussle, was sentenced to 50 years to life in prison, but a clip from his sentencing is now going viral, showing his lawyer pleading to the judge about Holder’s harsh reality to be faced in prison.
Holder was also given another ten years for assault with a firearm for shooting two people the same day that he gunned down Hussle. L.A. County Superior Court Judge H. Clay Jacke II said of Holder, “I am mindful of what was presented as to Mr. Holder’s mental health. I am also mindful of the devastation caused to the victims and their families. I believe this sentence balances the two.”
A clip from his sentencing has now surfaced, showing Holder’s lawyer pleading for the 33-year-old man L.A. native to be housed in protective custody in state prison, as his future in any correctional facility is bleak.
Holder’s lawyer can be heard in the video saying, “Once he gets to state prison, he’s a target. There’s a green light on him from all the gangs. All the people that love Nipsey Hussle. And so, his life in prison is going to be hell … for as long as it lasts.”
Eric Holder’s life will be in danger behind bars, his attorney confirmed, after the 33-year-old was sentenced for the murder of Nipsey Hussle. The judge handed down a 60-year sentence to Holder after a jury found him guilty on all counts. However, his attorney believes that his life behind bars will be a living hell. He explained there are many people who are looking to inflict harm upon Holder.
A clip of Holder’s court appearance surfaced this week where a person, that many believe to be the judge, warned him of what life will be like incarcerated. However, as Hollywood Unlocked notes, it was actually his lawyer who suggested Eric Holder might not make it out of his prison sentence alive and asked for protective custody. “Once he gets to state prison, he’s a target,” the attorney said. “There’s a green light on him from all the gangs, all the people that loved Nipsey Hussle. And so, his life in prison is going to be hell for as long as it lasts.”
Eric Holder’s 60-Year Sentence For Nipsey Hussle’s Death
The concerns expressed by Holder’s attorney have already been proven true before the trial began. In July, his attorney Aaron Jensen confirmed that he was attacked behind bars by a group of men. “Mr. Holder, Jr. was assaulted by multiple individuals while he was in the holding cell at the jail while waiting to be brought to court yesterday morning,” Jansen told CBS News. “The attack included a razor and the back of his head was cut.” Shortly after, Holder appeared in court with bruises and a swollen face from the attack.
The jury ultimately found Eric Holder guilty of the first-degree murder of Nipsey Hussle. He was also found guilty of two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter and one count of possession of a firearm. Hussle, whose 4-year death anniversary approaches this Friday, reportedly confronted Eric Holder for cooperating with authorities in front of the Marathon Store on Crenshaw and Slauson. Holder returned where he fired numerous shots at Nipsey Hussle and killed him. Check out the clip of Holder above. We’ll keep you posted with any further updates.
Nearly four years after the death of Nipsey Hussle, his accused killer, Eric Holder, was finally sentenced to jail time. A jury convicted Holder last July of first-degree murder and attempted voluntary manslaughter following a lengthy trial. However, it was only this week that a judge handed down a 60-year prison sentence. The high-profile case earned coverage across the globe while Holder and his attorney tried to reduce the charge from first-degree murder, which was ultimately denied.
Holder will likely spend his remaining years behind bars. At the time of his sentencing, he was 33 years old, which means that he’ll be in his 90s if he’s ever released. However, his sentencing became a relief to many friends, fans and peers of Nipsey, who’ve demanded justice since his death in 2019. In addition to first degree murder and attempted voluntary manslaughter, the jury also found Holder guilty of 2 counts of assault with a firearm, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Cowboy Reflects On Eric Holder’s Conviction For Nipsey Hussle’s Death
A close friend of Nipsey Hussle, Cowboy, was approached by TMZ outside of the courtroom following Holder’s conviction. He explained that “justice was definitely served” but regardless of Holder’s sentencing, he said that it won’t bring back Nipsey. “60 years, that’ll hold him. It was definitely justice for Nipsey,” he said before explaining that the death of Nipset still hurts. “It’s going to hurt forever. It’s going to be an open wound forever because we’re not going to get over Nipsey… He got all this time but it’s not going to bring Nipsey back.”
Cowboy continued to explain the significance of Nipsey Hussle to his community. He also expressed his condolences to Nipsey’s family, who wasn’t in attendance at the sentencing. “I’m still grieving Nipsey,” he explained. “I could imagine how his mom, his dad, his brother – they were tight. I’m still hurt and I was just his friend,” he added. Though they might not be biologically related, Cowboy explained that Nip’s family provided him with plenty of knowledge over the years that he never got from his own family. Check out his interview with TMZ above.
After years of waiting, Eric Holder has been sentenced for the murder of Nipsey Hussle. The Los Angeles rapper was tragically killed in front of his Marathon Clothing Store in his hometown in 2019. He was quickly praised for his community efforts outside of his music career, and the global response was unlike any other experience in pop culture. Eric Holder was arrested promptly after witnesses named him as the assailant.
Surveillance cameras also captured the incident, implicating Holder in the crime. His defense attorneys argued he suffered from mental illness, but that didn’t hold much water. The anticipation of his sentencing has boiled over. Today (February 22), it was learned Holder received 60 years to life in prison.
Details Of The Sentencing Hearing
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 09: Nipsey Hussle attends 2019 Roc Nation THE BRUNCH on February 9, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Roc Nation )
Holder was found guilty of first-degree murder, and considering his past legal indiscretions, his sentence didn’t surprise the public. Additionally, KTLA 5 News reports that Holder was found guilty “of two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter and two counts of assault with a firearm.” Those charges stemmed from the two other victims during the shooting who survived their injuries.
The outlet further shared that Holder “stared straight ahead throughout the proceedings.” A letter from his father was read in court, and Holder didn’t react when the verdict was handed down. The sentencing was initially delayed because the defense hoped to argue down the first-degree conviction, but it proved futile. Holder’s case wasn’t eligible for death penalty discussions.
Nipsey Hussle & Eric Holder Were Acquainted
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 14: Rapper Nipsey Hussle performs onstage during day one of the Rolling Loud Festival at Banc of California Stadium on December 14, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
Investigators revealed that Nipsey and his killer knew each for some time. They were both members of the Rollin’ 60s gang in Los Angeles and had dreams of becoming the next prominent rapper from the City of Angels. It was suggested that someone referred to Holder as a “snitch,” unleashing his ire that resulted in Nipsey’s slaying. A witness testified during the trial that Nipsey’s death was a tragedy for not only his loved ones but for the community as a whole.
A judge formally shot down Eric Holder’s bid to reduce his conviction from first-degree murder to a lesser charge.
Holder and his attorney appeared in court on Monday for his sentencing. However, the judge laid down the law when it came down to a motion requesting a reduction of the first-degree murder conviction to second-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter, per Fox11.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 09: Nipsey Hussle arrives at the 2019 Roc Nation THE BRUNCH on February 09, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)
In addition to trying to reduce the charge, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge H. Clay Jacke also shot down the possibility of a new trial. Holder’s attorney previously filed a motion for a new trial. The judge postponed Holder’s sentencing date until Feb. 22nd, 2022.
In July, a jury found Holder guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Nipsey Hussle. In addition, the jury also convicted Holder of two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter, one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, and assault with a firearm.
During the trial, Holder’s attorney explained that his client shot Nipsey Hussle during a “heat of passion.” If you recall, the incident came about after the California rapper labeled him a snitch publicly. Holder’s lawyer explained that manslaughter charges were more suitable rather than first-degree murder. He said that Holder’s actions were a result of “impulse and rashness.”
Still, a jury found Holder guilty of intentionally using a firearm to cause great bodily harm against the victim.
The death of Nipsey Hussle rippled across the globe. The rapper died on March 31st, 2019 after he was struck by bullets. A medical examiner that testified in the trial said that a bullet ripped through Nipsey’s right abdomen and severed his spinal cord. If he were to survive the gunshot, Nipsey would’ve been paralyzed in his lower body.
We’ll keep you posted on any further updates surrounding Eric Holder’s sentencing for the murder of Nipsey Hussle.
