Updated Feb 22, 2023 at 6:07pm ET
The killer of a famous Los Angeles rapper was convicted Wednesday after a legal drama that dragged on for three years.
Eric R. Holder Jr., 33, will likely remain in prison for the rest of his life for the murder of Nipsey Hussle. Hussle, born Airmiess Joseph Asghedom, was a Grammy-nominated rapper, entrepreneur and philanthropist who was fatally shot in 2019 outside the Marathon clothing store he owned in South LA. He was 33 years old.
Holder was sentenced to 50 years to life for his role in the murder and 10 years for shooting two other people that day.
Superior Court Judge H. Clay Jacke II sentenced Holder in Los Angeles.
“I am very aware of what has been presented regarding Mr. Holder’s mental health,” Jacke said, according to The Associated Press. “I am also aware of the devastation caused to the victims and their families. I think this sentence balances the two.”
Jacke sentenced Holder to 25 years to life for the murder, another 25 years for an increased firearm sentence and 10 years for assault with a firearm, the AP reports.
Last July, a Los Angeles County the jury also found Holder guilty of two counts of attempted manslaughter, as two other men were injured in the shooting at the crime scene.
Growing up, Hussle had been involved in the same gang as Holder, and prosecutors alleged that Holder shot the rapper multiple times because Hussle called Holder a “snitch”.
Hussle had become a leading advocate of gun violence and a community leader involved in developing his neighborhood and creating opportunities for children.
Prior to his murder, Hussle was scheduled to meet with Los Angeles Police Commissioner Steve Soboroff and LAPD Chief Michel Moore about ways to stop gang violence across the city.
Last August, Hussle was posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, on what would have been his 37th birthday.
