Eric Holder, the man accused of fatally shooting Grammy-nominated rapper Nipsey Hustle, was found guilty of first-degree murder on Wednesday, CBS Los Angeles reported. The jury deliberated for about six hours before reaching its verdict.
Holder, 32, was also charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder because two bystanders were hit by gunfire, according to the Associated Press — but a jury found him guilty of two counts of attempted first-degree murder instead.
Hussell, born Ermias Asgedom, was fatally shot outside his clothing store in Los Angeles in March 2019. He was 33 years old.
Defendant Eric Holder listens during opening statements in his murder trial, Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in Los Angeles Superior Court in Los Angeles. Frederick M. Brown / AP
When the trial began last month, prosecutors said Holder’s attack was calculated and premeditated. Deputy District Attorney John McKinney said there was “no question” that Holder knew he was going to kill Hussell, adding that Holder shot Hussell at least 10 times and kicked him in the head before running away, according to the AP.
McKinney said there was an argument between the pair — Hussell had heard that Holder was a whistleblower and wanted to “clear that up,” the AP reported. The deputy district attorney said the couple, along with two of Hussle’s friends, had a “cool conversation” with Holder before the attack, noting that Hussle did not have security with him when he visited his store.
However, prosecutors had difficulty getting witnesses to testify. One police official attributed their reluctance to fear of being seen as an informant, according to the AP.
Meanwhile, Holder’s attorney Aaron Jansen told the jury that Hussell’s killing was not planned and said Holder did not intend to shoot the two bystanders. He attributed the attack to “heated passions,” the AP reported.
Last week, Holder was attacked by “multiple individuals” while in a jail cell, Jansen told CBS News. He was allegedly cut with a razor and taken to the hospital, where he received an MRI and staples to the back of the head, Jansen said.
Victoria Albert contributed reporting.
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Sophie Riordan
Sophie Riordan is a news editor at CBS News. Contact her at sophie.reardon@viacomcbs.com
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