Nipsey Hussle’s alleged murderer Eric Holder was supposed to go to trial last month. However, in wake of the global pandemic, his next court appearance has now reportedly been postponed to June 8.
Back in February, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert Perry had informed Holder that he would maintain his right to a speedy trial, with courts dates anticipated as early as late March.
“Mr. Holder, as you know, this is an important case and a serious case,” Perry had reportedly said during a hearing on Feb. 19. “These cases take time to get ready for trial. You have the right to a speedy trial.”
However, on March 23, the Coronavirus forced the closure of all Los Angeles County Clerk offices, as well as courtrooms in neighboring Southern California cities. Courts could soon begin to fully reopen, though, as California’s state-wide stay at home order is expected to be lifted by the end of this month.
Holder is currently charged with one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of felony possession of a firearm. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is being held in the Twin Towers Facility in downtown Los Angeles.
Back in September, the 30-year-old defendant’s attorney requested to have two of his six charges dropped. However, prosecutors cited the Kill Zone Theory and argued that Holder had in fact shot Hussle with the intention of murdering the rapper. Judge Perry denied the request in November.
Hussle was shot at least 10 times before he was taken to a hospital, where he was tragically pronounced dead. Holder reportedly fled the crime scene but was detained two days later in Bellflower, CA, nearly 30 miles away from the shooting.
Holder was previously represented by attorney Christopher Darden, who was involved in the 1995 O.J. Simpson trial. Darden removed himself from Holder’s case, though, after allegedly receiving death threats.