Nipsey Hussle’s Killer Will Remain Behind Bars After Appeal Denied

Eric Holder, convicted of the 2019 murder of rapper Nipsey Hussle, will remain incarcerated following the rejection of his appeal.

Holder, who was handed a 60-year sentence in 2023, sought to overturn the conviction, but the California Appeals Court has dismissed his efforts, AllHipHop reports.

Holder was found guilty of first-degree murder, along with two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter and two counts of assault with a firearm for wounding two bystanders. His sentence included 25 years to life for the murder, 25 years for the firearm enhancement, and 10 years for assault.

During sentencing, Judge H. Clay Jacke II acknowledged Holder’s history of mental illness but stressed the importance of balancing that with the impact on the victims and their families. “I am very mindful of what was presented as to Mr. Holder’s mental health,” Judge Jacke said. “[I’m] also mindful of the devastation caused to the victims and their families. I believe this sentence balances the two.”

The California Appeals Court upheld this decision, stating in their ruling that Holder’s case was conducted fairly. “The trial court fully understood and properly exercised its discretion when it declined to dismiss the firearm enhancement,” the court noted. It also emphasized that there was no abuse of discretion in prohibiting Holder’s defense, affirming that “nothing in the trial court’s rulings prevented appellant from arguing objective and subjective provocation to the jury.”

For Nipsey Hussle’s fans and community, Holder’s conviction being upheld provides some comfort, though it cannot erase the tragedy of losing the influential artist. Herman “Cowboy” Douglas, a close friend of Hussle, reflected on the loss following the original conviction: “One man’s mistake, one man’s action… [It] messed up a whole community,” he told KTLA 5.

With the denial of Holder’s appeal, the community hopes to find some closure, knowing that justice continues to be served.