Audio By Carbonatix
The man convicted of killing rapper Nipsey Hussle has been sentenced to at least 60 years in prison.
Eric R. Holder, Jr. was found guilty of first-degree murder last July for killing Hussle - whose real name is Ermias Asghedom - outside Hussle's South Los Angeles clothing store in 2019.
Hussle, a Grammy-nominated artist, died aged 33.
Two bystanders were also hit and injured in the incident.
Superior Court Judge H. Clay Jacke announced Holder's 60 years to life sentence on Wednesday after hearing from one of Hussle's friends as well as reading a letter from Holder's father.
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.
He was not eligible for the death penalty and was widely expected to receive a life sentence.
Wearing orange jail attire, he did not react when his sentence was read out.
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.
Prosecutors said during the murder trial that the attack was premeditated, while Holder's defence team argued it was a heat-of-the-moment decision.
Holder's defence attorney said he was provoked by a conversation he had with Hussle about rumours that he was cooperating with police.
Hussle was struck by gunfire at least 10 times, after which Holder kicked him in the head and fled the scene, Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney John McKinney told the court, according to the Associated Press.
Hussle grew up in South Los Angeles, where he was a member of the Rollin' 60s street gang as a teenager.
He opened the Marathon Clothing store as a way of investing in his community. Before his death, he had also reached out to the Los Angeles Police Department to discuss ways to help prevent gang violence in the neighbourhood.
The rapper, who won two posthumous Grammy awards for best rap performance and best rap/song collaboration in 2020, had two children with actor Lauren London.
He was also awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Hussle's murder has sparked an outpouring of support from fans across the country who have posted tributes to the rapper.
Latest Stories
-
‘I’m 16, passed my BECE and want to become a lawyer’ – Viral Adanwomase SHS ‘smallish’ boy
12 minutes -
Ghanaians in their 30s and 50s dying from heart disease without knowing – Cardiothoracic Centre
18 minutes -
Emeritus Professor Kwame Akon Ninsin: The man who mentored a department
18 minutes -
BoG orders banks to give fraud units direct access to CEOs
23 minutes -
Government must clarify fate of 29,000 teachers awaiting promotion – NAGRAT
45 minutes -
Paramount takes over Warner Bros in $110bn Hollywood merger
1 hour -
Human resource practitioners asked to embrace digital revolution for efficiency in service delivery
1 hour -
AMA intensifies enforcement to reclaim BRT bus shelters from tradersÂ
1 hour -
TGMA controversy hasn’t affected my relationship with Diana Hamilton – Piesie Esther
1 hour -
Cliff Cheqona to take TP Masterclass to Lagos and Abuja in 2027
2 hours -
Bond market: Turnover rises 77% to GH¢2.76bn
2 hours -
Be lovers of the environment – Archbishop Kwofie calls for stronger fight against environmental injustice
2 hours -
BoG declares FX compliance “non-negotiable” as it moves to tighten rules                                Â
2 hours -
Government to prioritise creation of decent jobs – Finance Minister
2 hours -
Ghana’s ocean is not land under water: Why the Fisheries Commission is right to demand a proper assessment of offshore gold exploration
2 hours