Rapper Nipsey Hussle's killer sentenced to 60 years in prison

Eric Holder, the murderer of rapper Nipsey Hussle, during the murder trial. Apu Gomes (AP)

Eric Holder Jr., the murderer of rapper Nipsey Hussle, received a sentence of at least 60 years in prison on Wednesday.

The murderer of the Grammy-nominated artist was found guilty in July by a jury after a month-long trial.

Holder, present in court to hear the sentence, showed no reaction as he listened to Judge Clay Jacke II read the decision that will put him behind bars for the rest of his life for shooting the 33-year-old musician in March 2019 south of The Angels.

The judge announced that he was awarding 25 years in prison for the manslaughter and another 25 years for the use of a firearm, an aggravating circumstance under California law.

The remaining ten years are for the charge of injuries, for having shot two other people on the day of the event.

The conviction has been released after Herman Douglas, a friend of Hussle, dedicated a few words in memory of the rapper.

“I don't care how long they give this guy.

It's not about punishment time.

I just want to know why.

The world wants to know why.

Why would someone do this?" said Douglas, who witnessed the murder outside Marathon Clothing, Hussle's clothing store on the Slauson and Crenshaw area, a hotspot for Los Angeles' black population.

“One man's mistake, one person's action, has affected an entire community,” added Herman, who goes by the nickname Cowboy.

The judge's decision was initially expected in September 2022. However, Aaron Jansen, Holder's defense attorney, opted for a strategy to reduce the sentence that carried one of the charges, for second-degree murder.

The togado rejected the motion in December.

The conviction came as no surprise to the defense, which had hoped their client would receive life in prison given the overwhelming evidence against him, including security camera video showing him shooting the rapper.

It took the jury six hours of deliberation to convict Holder.

Nipsey Hussle, during a rap event in Atlanta, in December 2018.PRINCE WILLIAMS (WireImage)

Holder, 33, was a member of the Crips, a gang that is deeply rooted in California.

Hussle, whose real name was Ermias Asghedom, had also been part of the group, often linked to illicit activities.

Both belonged to one of the Crips cells, the Rollin' 60s, which had a presence in the south of the city of Los Angeles.

The two young men tried to become rappers, but only one of them found fame.

Hussle released

in 2018 , nominated for Best Rap Album at the Grammys.

Instead, Holder only made some domestic recordings under the name Fly Mac. According to the prosecution, Holder was motivated by jealousy and envy to commit the crime.

The star witness for the prosecution was Bryannita Nicholson, a friend of Holder's who witnessed the events.

She accompanied the killer to eat at a hamburger restaurant on Slauson Avenue.

Arriving at the location, Holder saw Hussle outside his business.

Hussle, the son of an Eritrean immigrant, had invested in property and businesses in the area, where he was well-liked and respected.

When the men met, Hussle told Holder, in front of others, that it was heard on the street that he was working as a police aid worker.

According to Jansen, the lawyer, his client lost her mind at such an accusation.

"He knew the consequences of being called a snitch by someone as important as Hussle," the lawyer said during the trial.

After hearing this, Holder and her friend went back to the car, where she had a gun stored.

Nicholson convinced him to put down his gun and they began to eat while sitting in the car.

Minutes later, Holder, still in a daze, stormed out, saying that he would be right back.

Bryannita heard the shots while she was in the vehicle.

Seconds later he saw Holder walk quickly towards her and ask her to get out of there quickly.

The main suspect was arrested two days later.

And from this Wednesday he will spend the rest of his days in a California prison.

Subscribe here to the EL PAÍS America

and receive all the latest news from the region