A California appeals court has upheld the first-degree murder conviction of Eric Ronald Holder Jr. for the 2019 killing of rapper Nipsey Hussle.

The tragic incident took place on March 31, 2019, outside Hussle’s Marathon Clothing store in South Los Angeles, resulting in the loss of the renowned rapper, whose real name was Ermias Joseph Asghedom. Holder, now 34, is serving a 60-years-to-life sentence in state prison.

The defence team had challenged the conviction, particularly objecting to Superior Court Judge H. Clay Jacke’s decision to restrict a portion of their closing argument.

The defence aimed to describe what Holder was thinking and feeling before the shooting. However, the three-justice panel from California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal rejected this argument.

In the panel’s 25-page ruling, Presiding Justice Elwood Lui noted, “Appellant did not testify, and no other evidence about what appellant was thinking or feeling before the shooting was presented to the jury.”

Consequently, the court did not find any abuse of discretion in limiting the defence counsel’s argument, as it was not based on evidence.

Additionally, the appellate court dismissed the defence’s contention that the judge had improperly refused to dismiss a firearm enhancement, which added 25 years to life to Holder’s sentence.

The court emphasized that Judge Jacke had carefully considered the defence’s evidence of Holder’s mental illness, balancing it against the severe impact on the victims and their families.

Holder’s conviction, secured in July 2022, included first-degree murder, two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter, and assault with a firearm, all related to the injuries inflicted on two other men during the shooting.

Furthermore, Holder was found guilty of possessing a firearm as a felon and facing related charges for the intentional discharge of a handgun and causing great bodily injury.

During the sentencing, Deputy District Attorney John McKinney highlighted the brutality of the crime, detailing how Holder used two handguns and fired at least 10 shots into Nipsey Hussle from close range. McKinney also noted that Holder had kicked Hussle in the head as he lay dying on the ground.

Despite the defence’s arguments regarding Holder’s mental health and the threats he faces in prison, the court’s decision reflects a commitment to justice for Nipsey Hussle and the other victims.

Don’t miss out! Get your daily dose of Entertainment news and more straight to your phone. Join Ghana Street Journal Whatsapp channel now!