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A few days ago, a verdict was finally reached in the Nipsey Hussle murder trial. According to The New York Times, Eric R. Holder Jr., the accused gunman, was found guilty of first-degree murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter.

The 2019 incident became worldwide news as Hussle wasn’t just a lyricist; he was also a staple in his community, advocating for change and becoming a role model for those who needed guidance and inspiration. Here are key details of the trial and what led to the verdict.

Brief Timeline: The day of the shooting to the verdict

  • Nipsey Hussle arrived at his business, The Marathon store, and caught up with friends and employees while taking pictures with fans.
  • Eric Holder and a female friend spotted Hussle as they stopped to get something to eat after driving around.
  • Holder approached Hussle, and they had a lowkey, brief conversation which involved Hussle speaking of rumors that Holder was a ‘snitch.’
  • The female friend with Holder took a picture with Hussle before she and he went back to their vehicle.
  • After briefly eating in the vehicle, Holder loaded his gun and got out of the car, striking Hussle several times. He also injured two bystanders.
  • Footage of the shooting was released; the female friend saw her car, which was used as a ‘getaway,’ and spoke with officers. She claimed she had no idea about what occurred but did hear gunshots.
  • The friend also claimed that Holder told her to drive or he’d ‘slap her.’
  • Two days after the shooting, Holder was arrested, but the murder weapon wasn’t found.
  • Holder’s defense team argued that the case was overcharged. However, there was no denying that he was the shooter.
  • The defense claimed that Holder was furious about ‘snitching’ allegations and acted in the heat of the moment, so the charge should’ve been “voluntary manslaughter.”
  • One witness, a bystander who was injured, declined to testify.
  • Holder was found guilty of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter.

For in-depth details, read The New York Times’s article on the trial and verdict.