Who is Eric Holder?

GANG member Eric Holder's trial for killing rapper Nipsey Hussle ended in a first-degree murder charge.

Here's a look at what happened during Holder's trial and what he's been sentenced with for the murder of Nipsey Hussle.

Who is Eric Holder?

Eric Holder, 33, was a member of the same gang as Nipsey Hussle.

Holder has been convicted of intentionally murdering Nipsey Hussle outside of Nipsey's store at a strip mall in LA.

They were members of the Rollin’ 60s Crips gang in Los Angeles, California, and were both aspiring rappers.

Nipsey Hussle, whose real name was Ermias Joseph Asghedom, became a hip-hop star, neighborhood legend, and local hero.

However, Holder’s music never caught on.

On March 31, 2019, during an encounter at Nipsey's store Marathon in LA, Holder alleges Nipsey called him a "snitch."

Moments later, Nipsey was gunned down.

What was Eric Holder's trial verdict?

Holder's trial began on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, when the prosecution and defense argued in a Los Angeles courtroom.

On Wednesday, July 6, Holder was convicted of the first-degree murder of Nipsey Hussle.

He was named the fallen rapper's assailant and was convicted of two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter and assault with a firearm for shooting and wounding two other men that day.

On Wednesday, February 22, 2023, Holder was sentenced to 60 years to life in prison.

What happened to Nipsey Hussle?

Nipsey grew up in South Los Angeles.

He was more than 15 years into his music career before he released his GRAMMY-nominated official debut album Victory Lap in 2018.

While widely praised for his music, he never reached the stellar heights of the music industry, but he did work with mega artists such as Drake, Snoop Dogg, and Rick Ross.

The 33-year-old also turned his back on a life of crime and dedicated his time to community projects and charity - investing much of his earnings into where he grew up.

He put up funding for improvements to neighborhood schools and also spent time with students.

Nipsey had been in contact with the LA Police Department, working on ways to halt the tide of gang culture in his neighborhood before he was killed.

When Nipsey was killed, tributes flooded in from stars such as Beyoncé and Jay-Z.

The prosecution began by describing Hussle as a father, a son, comparing him in sharp contrast to Holder.

According to prosecutors, Holder showed up "unannounced" to Nipsey's clothing store Marathon in Los Angeles the day he allegedly killed the rapper.

The two exchanged words, which "had something to do with Mr Asghedom (Nipsey) accusing Mr Holder of snitching", Deputy District Attorney John McKinney said at the start of the murder trial.

Mr Holder reportedly left and then returned with a firearm.

He has been accused of approaching Nipsey in the shop's parking lot.

Defending Holder, public defender Aaron Jansen told jurors his client became “so enflamed and enraged” at the comment that he opened fire “a mere nine minutes later,” before he had time to “cool off.”

CCTV shows Holder appearing to fire several shots at Nipsey.

Jansen says Holder was experiencing “a substantial mental health issue” and was “off his medication” the day of the shooting.

Why was Eric Holder charged with killing Nipsey Hussle?

The LA County District Attorney charged Holder with four crimes, including premeditated murder.

He was indicted on one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Holder doesn’t deny he shot the rapper.

However, he denies that it was a premeditated act that also involved the attempted murders of two other men, Jansen said on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in an opening statement.

Holder reportedly claimed he was paid to kill Nipsey, according to unconfirmed reports, as a result of these projects. 

He was allegedly offered $75,000 and was told he would not be charged.

Holder was arrested two days after the fatal shooting after entering a safe house at a nearby motel.