The defendant who was found guilty of murdering rapper Nipsey Hussle received a minimum 60-year prison term.
Eric R. R. Holder Jr. was killed outside Hussle's South Los Angeles clothing store in 2019 and was found guilty of first-degree murder last July. Hussle's real name is Ermias Asghedom.
Singer Hussle, a Grammy nominee, passed away at the age of 33.
In the incident, two spectators were also struck and hurt. .
High Court Judge H. Wednesday, after speaking with one of Nipsey Hussle's friends and reading a letter from Holder's father, Clay Jacke announced Holder's 60 years to life sentence.
After a drawn-out trial lasting several months, Holder was found guilty of both murder and two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter for the two bystanders shot.
He wasn't deserving of the death penalty, and it was widely believed that he would get a life sentence.
He did not respond when his sentence was read because he was dressed in orange jail garb.
The verdict would be appealed, Holder's attorney told ABC News.
Given the high-profile circumstances surrounding the case, the lawyer, Aaron Jansen, said, "It was always going to be difficult.".
Holder's defense team contended that the decision was made in the heat of the moment, while the prosecution claimed that the attack was premeditated during the murder trial.
According to Holder's defense lawyer, Hussle's comments about rumors that he was working with the police prompted Holder to act out.
According to testimony given in court by Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney John McKinney, Hussle was shot at least ten times before Holder kicked him in the head and left the area.
Hussle was raised in South Los Angeles and as a young man joined the Rollin' 60s street gang.
In order to give back to his neighborhood, he opened the Marathon Clothing store. Prior to his passing, he had also contacted the Los Angeles Police Department to talk about ways to lessen gang violence in the neighborhood.
The rapper, who in 2020 won two posthumous Grammys for best rap performance and best rap/song collaboration, was married to actor Lauren London and had two kids together.
Additionally, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Due to the rapper's murder, there has been a nationwide outpouring of sympathy from fans who have paid tribute to him online.
