The man convicted of fatally shooting rapper Nipsey Hussle was sentenced to 60 years to life in prison in a Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday, February 22.
Hussle, a Grammy-nominated artist, died aged 33.
Eric Holder was convicted of first-degree murder in July for the March 31, 2019, killing of Hussle in a parking lot outside the rapper’s South Los Angeles apparel shop.
Two bystanders were also hit and injured in the incident.
Superior Court Judge H. Clay Jacke handed down the sentence Wednesday after hearing from one of Hussle’s friends and listening to a letter from Holder’s father.
The sentencing has been delayed in part so defense attorney Aaron Jansen could argue to reduce Holder’s conviction to manslaughter or second-degree murder, which the judge rejected in December.
Holder was found guilty of murder as well as two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter for the two bystanders injured in the shooting after a months-long trial.
Holder’s attorney told ABC News he planned to appeal the verdict.
‘It was always going to be tough given the high-profile circumstances surrounding the case,’ the attorney, Aaron Jansen, said.
Hussle, who was born Ermias Asghedom, had grown up with Holder, and both were members of the same gang, the Rollin’ 60s.
Prosecutors argued that Holder was upset over accusations that he was a snitch and that it was premeditated when he approached Hussle outside his shop, ‘The Marathon’, and opened fire. Hussle was struck by gun fire at least 10 times.
Afterward, Holder kicked him in the head and fled, Deputy District Attorney John McKinney told jurors.
Hussle leaves two children.
Before his death, Hussle reached out to the Los Angeles Police Department to discuss ways to help prevent gang violence in the neighbourhood.
The rapper won two posthumous Grammy awards for best rap performance and best rap/song collaboration in 2020.
He was also awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
