Superior Court judge in Los Angeles County, California said on Wednesday (February 19) that a murder trial will begin soon for the man accused of slaying rapper Nipsey Hussle.
According to the New York Daily News, Judge Robert Perry said in court that the murder trial for Eric Holder (pictured left) will last approximately two weeks. Judge Perry also said the trial should begin in early April or even late March, if possible. The judge spoke directly to Holder at the midweek court hearing to ask him if he was aware of the pending circumstances.
“Mr. Holder, as you know, this is an important case and a serious case. These cases take time to get ready for trial. You have the right to a speedy trial. Are you OK that we continue this case, and you come back on March 18 and we do our best to start your trial within 30 days? Are you OK with that?” the judge asked Holder.
Holder answered the judge by saying “yeah” and it was the only word the suspected murderer uttered during the entire court hearing. Los Angeles County prosecutors claim that it was Holder who shot Nipsey Hussle in his head and torso on March 31, 2019. Nipsey’s murder occurred in broad daylight right outside his Marathon Clothing store in South Central Los Angeles.
By May 9, 2019, a Los Angeles County grand jury indicted Holder on one count of murder, two counts each of attempted murder, assault with a firearm, and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. The New York Daily News obtained court transcripts in this case after grand jury testimony was declassified last June.
“Mr. Holder got out of the car, immediately walked up to the group where Mr. Hussle, or Mr. Asghedom was, and they had a conversation. That conversation is important because that conversation had something to do with Mr. Asghedom accusing Mr. Holder of snitching, which in the gang world is a very serious offense,” said Deputy District Attorney John McKinney.
Judge Perry also said that he expects to have Holder’s murder trial wrapped up by April 14.