nipsey hussle murder trial Archives

[WATCH] Eric Holder’s Lawyer Says That His Life Has Been “Greenlighted” By Prison Gangs

March 28, 2023 by newhiphopnews

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.”

Watch the footage of the court proceedings HERE

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Rapper Nipsey Hussle’s convicted killer to be sentenced

February 22, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Following the tragic death of Nipsey Hussle in 2019, a man convicted of fatally shooting the rapper and local hero will likely be sentenced to life in prison. The sentencing will take place Wednesday in a Los Angeles courtroom.

In July, Eric R. Holder Jr., 32, was found guilty of the first-degree murder of 33 year old Hussle. He was also convicted of two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter and two counts of assault with a firearm for gunfire that struck two additional men at the scene who survived. The shooting took place outside the clothing store Hussle founded, the Marathon, in the South Los Angeles neighborhood where both men grew up.

Delayed sentencing has resulted in defense attorney Aaron Jansen moving for Superior Court Judge H. Clay Jacke to reduce Holder’s conviction to manslaughter or second-degree murder. However, the judge rejected this motion in December.

Judge Jacke will sentence Holder Thursday morning at the hearing. The murder conviction bears 25 years to life, while the other convictions insinuate life in prison when measured next to special sentencing circumstances found true by the jurors. Yet, Holder is not battling the death penalty.

Following the verdict, lead prosecutor and Deputy District Attorney John McKinney said, “We hope that there is some resounding peace in the fact that his killer will be in prison likely for the rest of his life.”

Hussle’s wife and mother of two children, Lauren London, did not attend any part of the trial. Overwhelming amounts of evidence against Holder are present– from eyewitnesses to surveillance cameras from local businesses that captured his arrival, the shooting and his departure — that his attorney conceded during trial that he had shot Hussle.

Just six hours after deliberations, the jury returned with a first-degree murder verdict. Jansen argued to jurors that feverish circumstances of the shooting should equal a lesser verdict of voluntary manslaughter. An impromptu meeting in a shopping center Hussle owned, led to a conversation between Hussle and Holder regarding the rumors that Holder had been acting as an informant for authorities. Jansen argued that being publicly accused of being a “snitch” by a person as prominent and beloved as Hussle brought on a “heat of passion” in Holder that prompted the shooting.

A woman who was with Holder that day snapped a photo with Hussle before becoming Holder’s unknowing getaway driver. She was a key witness for the prosecution.

Jansen said afterward that he was “deeply disappointed” in the verdict, which they planned to appeal. The sentencing, originally scheduled for September was postponed at the request of the defense. Now three years later, it is coming to an end.

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Woman Recounts How She Unknowingly Became The Getaway Driver In The Murder Of Nipsey Hussle

June 23, 2022 by newhiphopnews

According to NBC Los Angeles, 35-year-old Bryannita Nicholson testified in court on Monday against Eric Holder in exchange for immunity. She maintained that she drove Holder home, not knowing he had just killed Nipsey Hussle.

Nicholson stated had been dating Eric Holder for a month prior to the murder of Nipsey, and that the two had met when she was driving for Lyft. On the day of the murder, Holder had asked Nicholson to take him to the Master Burger restaurant located on the corner of Crenshaw and Slauson, in the same shopping center as Nipsey’s Marathon Clothing Store.

Nicholson recalled that she saw Nip in front of the store, said “‘Ooh, there’s goes Nipsey, he fine,’” and told Holder that she wanted to take a picture with the Los Angeles MC and businessman.

Nicholson stated that Holder never told her that he knew Nip through their gang affiliation, and Holder had gotten out of the car and walked towards Nip while she looked for somewhere to park. By the time Nicholson parked the car and joined Holder, she admitted that his voice was raised. “Eric was asking Nipsey, ‘Did you tell somebody I snitched?’” Nicholson testified.

Nicholson was able to get a selfie with Nip after his brief encounter with Holder. “I was just excited, I was just happy, I just wanted to show my Facebook friends,” said Nicholson. She then went back to her car to post the picture on Facebook.

Holder then went inside the Master Burger, came out with chili fries, and told Nicholson to go around the block. At that point, he took out a semi-automatic handgun and loaded it.

“I was like, ‘What are you doing?’ You put that away, you ain’t going to shoot nothing outside my car,’” Nicholson testified. She added that “he did put it away.” Nicholson then pulled into the alley and waited for Holder. She said that she thought about getting a t-shirt from Nipsey’s store before she heard gunshots.

Nicholson said that she chose not to drive away after hearing the gunshots in case Holder was the one who had been shot. Holder then came powerwalking to the car and told her to drive. “I was like, ‘What happened?’” Nicholson said. “He said, ‘You talk too much I ought to slap you.’ And he was just like, ‘Drive! Drive!’”

It wasn’t until she got home and heard on the news that Nipsey had been fatally shot. People in the comments section of her Facebook post accused Holder of killing Nipsey.

Nicholson also testified that Holder refused to talk while she drove him to his home in Long Beach.

“Did it start to occur to you at that moment that Eric might have done it?” asked Deputy District Attorney John McKinney. Nicholson answered, “Yes,” and added that she agreed to pick him up but did not explain why she did.

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Defense of Nipsey Hussle’s Murder Suspect Argues Killing Not Premeditated “Case Of Heated Passion”

June 18, 2022 by newhiphopnews

Opening statements took place Wednesday in the trial of the man accused of killing Nipsey Hussle, born Ermias Joseph Asghedom. Hussle was shot in 2019 outside of his Los Angeles clothing store,The Marathon at the age of 33.

A jury which was selected on Monday will hear the case against accused killer, 32-year-old, Eric Ronald Holder Jr. Deputy District Attorney John McKinney says Hussle accused Holder of snitching the day of the murder. Holder returned to the scene minutes later, shooting the beloved rapper eleven times.

McKinney stated during his opening statement there’s “no doubt” the suspect knew in advance that he would kill Hussle. “He clearly thought about what he was going to do before he did it.”

He then described the sequence of events, including showing jurors horrific videos and photos of the shooting.

Holder’s defense Attorney Aaron Jansen said the first-degree murder and attempted murder charges are excessive. Jansen argued the killing was not premeditated, and the shooting of the other two men present were not Eric Holder’s intention. Holder faces life in prison if convicted.

Attorney Jansen told jurors in the opening statements that Holder was “triggered” from being called a snitch and “didn’t have time to cool off” before he gunned down Hussle. Adding, “this is a case of heated passion.”

There is speculation that Holder’s defense will make his mental health an issue during his trial. Jansen has said previously “One of the things affecting him [in March 2019] was that his mother had just passed away. He was pretty despondent.”

Holder fled the scene after firing multiple shots at the “Victory Lap” rapper. Caught on surveillance, he was arrested two days later.

Nipsey Hussle left behind his daughter Emani Asghedom, 13 and son Kros Ermias Asghedom, 5 with whom he shares with actor, and longtime partner Lauren London. He won two Grammys almost a year after his murder. Hussle was signed to Jay-Z’s RocNation.

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Nipsey Hussle Murder Trial Defense Opening Statements: “Not Premeditated, Case Of Heated Passion”

June 15, 2022 by newhiphopnews

Opening statements took place today in the trial of the man accused of killing Nipsey Hussle, born Ermias Joseph Asghedom. Hussle was shot in 2019 outside of his Los Angeles clothing store,The Marathon at the age of 33.

A jury selected on Monday is set to hear the case against accused killer, 32-year-old, Eric Ronald Holder Jr. Deputy District Attorney John McKinney says Hussle accused Holder of snitching the day of the murder. Holder returned to the scene minutes later, shooting the beloved rapper eleven times.

McKinney stated during his opening statement there’s “no doubt” the suspect knew in advance that he would kill Hussle. “He clearly thought about what he was going to do before he did it.”

He then described the sequence of events, including showing jurors horrific videos and photos of the shooting.

Holder fled the scene after firing multiple shots at the “Victory Lap” rapper. Caught on surveillance, he was arrested two days later.

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