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Bryannita Nicholson testified that she drove Eric R. Holder Jr. to the shopping plaza where Nipsey Hussle was shot. After the killing, crowds of people paid tribute at the mall. Credit...Rozette Rago for The New York Times

Bryannita Nicholson, who had been casually seeing the defendant, Eric R. Holder Jr., testified that she had driven him to and from the scene of the shooting, providing one of the prosecutions key accounts of the episode.

The day of the shooting had started unremarkably, she testified. She and Mr. Holder had met a little more than a month earlier, when she was driving part-time for Lyft and picked him up as a fare. In the weeks that followed, she said, they grew closer, and she would often drive Mr. Holder during outings in Long Beach or Los Angeles, to the beach, to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Their relationship was casual, she said.

On the day of the shooting, Ms. Nicholson testified, the pair were headed to a nearby swap meet. Ms. Nicholson was given immunity from prosecution for her testimony.

When Ms. Nicholson pulled into a shopping plaza that day so that Mr. Holder could buy chili cheese fries, she said, she spotted Nipsey Hussle standing outside his store, Marathon clothing. She remarked to Mr. Holder that she thought Hussle was handsome, and that she wanted to get a picture with him. Mr. Holder did not indicate that he knew the rapper from the neighborhood, she testified.

She approached Hussle, who was surrounded by a group of men, to get a selfie, she testified. It would be the last photograph of the rapper.

Some witnesses have testified that Hussle had warned Mr. Holder there were rumors circulating that he had cooperated with law enforcement, or snitched. Ms. Nicholson testified that she had heard Mr. Holder ask Hussle if he had snitched, but that Hussle seemed to be brushing him off. She said she returned to the car and pulled into a nearby alley so Mr. Holder could eat, she said.

Mr. Holder then pulled out a handgun, which Ms. Nicholson testified alarmed her, but she had previously said she believed he had guns for protection.

Mr. Holder then got out of the car and left his fries on the hood of a nearby truck, she said. A short time later, Ms. Nicholson said, she heard gunshots.

When Mr. Holder got back into her car, she testified, he told her to drive or he would slap her. She testified that she did not realize at that point that he might have been the shooter. That night, she testified, she agreed to let Mr. Holder stay at her mothers home with her, and she later helped him check into a motel using her identification.

It wasnt until more than a day after the killing, when her mother recognized Ms. Nicholsons white Chevy Cruze on the news, that she realized that Mr. Holder might have been involved, she testified.

I hoped he didnt have something to do with it, Ms. Nicholson told John McKinney, the prosecutor in the case, during her testimony. I was a nervous wreck at the time.

In his opening statement, Mr. McKinney had portrayed Ms. Nicholson as a kind of unwitting accomplice.

When Ms. Nicholson testifies, pay attention to her, he said. I think youll find in her a navet, a simplicity.

Mr. McKinney emphasized that Ms. Nicholson had quickly agreed to cooperate with the police. She allowed the authorities to access data from her phone and she submitted to hours of interviews.

I was thinking, Oh my god, this is my reputation, too, she testified in court.

Aaron Jansen, Mr. Holders public defender, asked Ms. Nicholson about some minor discrepancies between her earlier accounts and ones she gave on the stand: the color of a truck where Mr. Holder left his fries, whether Hussle had told Mr. Holder to, like, chill. (Ms. Nicholson responded that Hussles demeanor had been chill, and said that he had not instructed Mr. Holder to calm down.)

On the witness stand, Ms. Nicholson mostly answered questions with a calm yes, or I dont know. Mr. Holder, who wore a gray suit with a faint windowpane pattern, mostly avoided her eyes or looked at her dispassionately.

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The Nipsey Hussle Murder Trial: Eric Holder Jr. Guilty of First-Degree ...

Please join the Black Law Students Association at Columbia Law School and TheEric H. Holder Jr. Initiative for Civil and Political Rightsfor the 2023 Paul Robeson Conference opening fireside chat. This conversation will feature Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. CC73, LAW76, and Jelani Cobb, dean of Columbia Journalism School and Henry R. Luce Professor of Journalism, as they discuss Attorney General Holder's new book, Our Unfinished March: The Violent Past and Imperiled Future of the Vote.

6:00 - 7:30 p.m. | Jelani Cobb in Conversation with Eric Holder on Our Unfinished March: The Violent Past and Imperiled Future of the Vote& Audience Q & A

7:30 - 8:30 p.m. | Reception (refreshmentswill be served)

Registration for this event is required.

Please Note: This event is open to CU affiliates only.

AboutOur Unfinished March

A brutal, bloody, and at times hopeful history of the vote; a primer on the opponents fighting to take it away; and a playbook for how we can save our democracy before its too latefrom the former U.S. Attorney General on the front lines of this fight

Voting is our most important right as Americansthe right that protects all the others, as Lyndon Johnson famously said when he signed the Voting Rights Actbut its also the one most violently contested throughout U.S. history. Since the gutting of the act in the landmarkShelby County v. Holdercase in 2013, many states have passed laws restricting the vote. After the 2020 election, President Trumps effort to overturn the vote has evolved into a slow-motion coup, with many Republicans launching an all-out assault on our democracy. The vote seems to be in unprecedented peril.

But the peril is not at all unprecedented. America is a fragile democracy, Eric Holder argues, whose citizens have only had unfettered access to the ballot since the 1960s. He takes readers through three dramatic stories of how the vote was won: first by white men, through violence and insurrection; then by white women, through protests and mass imprisonments; and finally by African Americans, in the face of lynchings and terrorism. Next, he dives into how the vote has been stripped away sinceShelbya case in which Holder was one of the parties. He ends with visionary chapters on how we can reverse this tide of voter suppression and become a true democracy where every voice is heard and every vote is counted.

Full of surprising history, intensive analysis, and actionable plans for the future, this is a powerful primer on our most urgent political struggle from one of the countrys leading advocates.

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2023 Paul Robeson Conference | A Conversation with Eric Holder ...

LOS ANGELESA man who once belonged to the same street gang as of Nipsey Hussle was found guilty of first-degree murder Wednesday three years after he gunned down the beloved rapper in broad-daylight outside his Marathon clothing store in Los Angeles.

Eric Holder, who was stillsporting a swollenleft eye and stitchesin the back of his head after being attackedin jail last week, remained silent as each of the jurorsindividually and unanimously voted for the first-degree murder charge. Holder, 29, was found guilty of intentionally using and discharging a handgun to kill 33-year-old Hussle in cold blood on March 31, 2019.

The jurycomposed of nine women and three menalso convicted Holder on two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter for shooting two men Kerry Lathan and Shermi Cervinta Villanuevaas they stood with Hussle outside the rappers clothing store.

Holder was initially charged with attempted murder for shooting Lathan and Villanueva, but jurors found him guilty of a the lesser charge.

Lathan, who was standing across from Hussle, was shot in the back and was paralyzed from his injuries.Villanueva was grazed by a bullet and was not seriously injured.

Holder alsowas convicted ofpossessing a firearm while being a convicted felon and the jury found true allegations that he personally used a firearm and caused great bodily harm and death.

During a press conference after the verdict was read, Deputy District Attorney John McKinney said he hoped family, friends and fans ofHussle,whose real name is Ermias Asghedom, will be able findsome closure and peace.

McKinney said he has not spoken directly to Hussles family aboutthe case or the verdict. The prosecutor said he has reached out to the family multiple times, but an attorney hired by the family has been keeping them informed of the case.

Today was more than just about the right verdict, or the right outcome for this trial, McKinney said. Today was really about Nipsey Hussle and the legacy that he leaves behind. This verdict and the story of his life will be talked about for sure, at Crenshaw and Slauson, but the meaning of it will carry far beyond those streets. The legacy of Nipsey Hussle and the arc of his life, which started off in a shadowy place, ended up in a very positive place for him, and for those that he inspired through the way that he lived his life, especially in his latter years.

He added, So, as a community, we move forward from this. We move forward in the tradition of the marathon. We move forward in the tradition of young people who are in a situation that Nipsey might have been in 15 years ago and look at his life as an example of how they can get out of that situation, and get to a place where dreams are made. I hope that that is what people take forward from today.

During the two-week trial, prosecutors and defense attorneys argued over the final interaction between Holder and Hussle, who grew up in the same neighborhood and were in the same gang the Rollin 60s Crips when they were younger.

Although gang allegation charges were not filed against Holder in this case,McKinney said the case did have gang overtones. He said some potential witnesses did not come forward or were held back because of a culture that exists in the community that its wrong to cooperate with law enforcement.

Holders public defender Aaron Jansen, who refused to talk to reporters immediately after the verdict was read, said during thetrial that his client shot Hussle in the heat of passion afterHussle accused Holder of being a snitch.

McKinney, however, argued the shooting was premeditated. The prosecutor said Hussle never accused Holder of being a snitch and was actually trying to help Holder to clear his name.

A key witness, Bryannita Nicholson,said she saw Holder load a semi-automaticweapon with bulletswhile he was in her car. Nicholson, who had an intimate relationship with Holder, testified he had instructed her to park her car in an alleyway while he got out.

Video played during the trial showed Holder walking back to the Marathon store parking lot, where he approached and shot Hustle 11 times.

Before leaving the scene, Holder kicked the beloved rapper in the head, a move that was personal, McKinney told jurors.

A fourth man who was with the group during the shooting,Evan McKenzie, ran from the scene.During the trial, a $500,000 warrant was issued againstMcKenzie, who failed to show up to court to testify under subpoena.

While Nicholson did not witness the shooting, she said she heard gunshots. Moments later, Holder ran back to her car and he told her to shut up anddrive out of the area.

Before she peeled away from the alleyway, Nicholson said, she saw Holder put two weapons a semi-automaticand a handgun into a bag.

Witness Herman Cowboy Douglas testifiedhe knew both Holder and Hussle since they were all former members of the South Los Angeles Rollin 60s Crips street gang.

He said when Holderinitially approached Hussle 10 minutes before the shooting, Holder didnt seem angry or agitated.

Accordingto Douglas, Hussle wasactually trying to help Holder by telling him that people in the neighborhood weresaying he had paperwork, meaning Holder was somehow involved in a case and should clear his name.

While Douglas testified Holder left the conversation shaking hands with Hussle, Holders attorney said his client walked away consumed with anger, causing him to come back 10 minutes later and shoot Hussle in the heat of passion.

McKinney told jurors during his closing argument that Holder had plenty of time to turn around and walk away, but instead ambushed the beloved rapper and shot and injured two other men.

The evidence showed he went over there, willing to kill everyone in that space, McKinney said during his closing argument. Nipsey was clearly the target but (Holder) was willing to kill everyone or chase them away.

Holder will be back in court for sentencing on September 15.

Douglas, who was a close friend to Hussle, walked out of the courtroom in tears and overcome with emotion after the verdict was read.

Douglas said while the guilty verdict provided some relief, he still wants to know what drove Holder to kill his friend that day.

Nipsey never called that man a snitch, Douglas said. I heard the conversation, but I still need to know why. I know he didnt kill him behind that conversation. I still need to know why. it was so senseless. Im just sad. I miss my friend. Hes supposed to still be here. We are losing a lot of good people on senseless violence, hate, envy. As a society, we have to learn to get along. We are killing each other and it makes no sense.

On Thursday, Jansen told The Post he will be filing a notice of an appeal and will present Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge H. Clay Jacke with substantial evidence concerning Holders mental health at the Sept. 15 sentencing.

I am deeply disappointment in the first-degree murder verdict, Jansen said. It was always going to be tough given the high profile nature of this case.We are grateful that the jury agreed with us, in part, that the case was overcharged and acquitted Mr. Holder, Jr. of the two first degree attempted murder charges.

More:
Jury finds Eric Holder guilty of Nipsey Hussle's murder - New York Post

Childhood & Early Years

Eric Himpton Holder was born on January 21, 1951, in The Bronx, New York, U.S., to a Barbadian couple. His mother, Miriam, was a telephone operator and secretary. His father, Eric Himpton Holder Sr. (19051970), was a real-estate broker.

Holder grew up in East Elmhurst, Queens, New York. He graduated high school and received the 'Regents Scholarship' from the 'Stuyvesant High School,' Manhattan, in 1969. He then joined 'Columbia University,' where he was a prominent civil-rights activist. Holder was part of the 'Reserve Officers' Training Corps' office, which was later renamed the 'Malcolm X' student center.

Holder completed his BA in American history in 1973.

In 1974, while studying law at the 'Columbia Law School,' Holder worked as a clerk at the 'NAACP Legal Defense Fund.' He then worked at the 'Criminal Division' of the 'Department of Justice' in 1975. His experience in these two jobs earned him his first full-time job after his graduation from law school in 1976.

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Career

In 1976, as part of the attorney general's 'Honors Program,' Holder joined the newly established public-integrity office of the 'Department of Justice' in Washington. Working in that position, he prosecuted public officials involved in government corruption at various levels. Some such personnel were the ambassador to the Dominican Republic, the treasurer of the state of Florida, a Pennsylvania-based judge, and an assistant U.S. attorney from New York.

He was a nominee of the then-president, Ronald Reagan, for the position of the associate judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. After assuming the post, Holder primarily headed civil and criminal cases. His tenure lasted for 5 years.

In 1993, President Bill Clinton nominated Holder for the position of the U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C, which the senate confirmed later that year. With this, he became the first AfricanAmerican to preside over the largest U.S. attorney's office.

His 4-year tenure witnessed several progressive activities, with community outreach being the priority. He established a domestic violence task-force unit, brought in a community undertaking project, and introduced 'Operation Cease-Fire' to reduce gun crime.

Holder served on the board of trustees of 'The George Washington University' in 1996 and 1997. That year, President Clinton promoted him to the second-highest position of the 'Justice Department,' deputy attorney general. Holder was again the first AfricanAmerican to serve in that post. In that capacity, he expanded his previous initiatives.

Holder presided over civil and criminal cases related to enforcement, litigation, and other administrative issues. He established 'Lawyers for One America' to prioritize the role of citizens in the legal process and to diversify the legal profession.

As the deputy attorney general, Holder prominently worked in the areas of budget and personnel issues such as solving disputes among department heads, briefing reporters on policy initiatives, and working on national security issues. He also presided over significant investigations such as the 2002 case of bribery and corruption in the 'Winter Olympics' in Salt Lake City, the enactment of the 'Independent Counsel, and the murders of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr.

Opposing the model introduced under President George W. Bushs administration, Holder advocated civilian trials for terrorism suspects. Republican lawmakers were against Holder's suggestion.

Holder ordered the investigation of the accusation of misconduct involving the New Orleans police department, during Hurricane Katrina.

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In 2001, Holder quit his office and began his private practice as a litigation partner with 'Covington & Burling' in Washington, D.C. There, he worked on civil, criminal, and investigative matters, along with domestic and international advisory issues.

Two of Holder's significant clients at the firm were 'Purdue Pharma' and 'Merck & Co., Inc.' (one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world). He was also part of the dog-fighting investigation of the 'National Football League' (against Michael Vick) and the case involving 'Chiquita Brands International,' the country's leading distributor of bananas, and its payment of protection money to the 'United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia' (AUC).

In March 2004, under the leadership of Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, Holder and 'Covington & Burling' represented the 'Illinois Gaming Board' as a team of special investigators. The investigation was short-lived and was canceled on May 18, 2004.

After serving as the senior legal advisor for Barack Obama's 20072008 presidential campaign, Holder was appointed as the attorney general in Obama's administration. The senate confirmed his post in February 2009.

On March 27, 2009, he assumed duty at the 'Lisner Auditorium' of the 'George Washington University.'

Holder and Republican legislators were pitted against each other once again during 'Operation Fast and Furious.'

In February 2011, Holder, on behalf of his legal department, announced that he would no longer defend cases related to the 'Defense of Marriage Act,' citing it unconstitutional. He argued that the prohibition of gay marriage did not adhere to strict scrutiny.

In May 2011, Holder testified before the Congress, speaking on the legality of the operation that captured and killed Osama bin Laden. Holder maintained that killing Laden was legal. However, he failed to produce documents related to the operation. Hence, the Republican House held Holder in contempt of the Congress. With this, he became the first head of the Justice Department to be held in contempt of the Congress. However, he did not face any criminal prosecution.

Later that year, the 'House Judiciary Committee' declared an investigation into Holder's conduct and what he knew about 'Operation Fast and Furious' in his previous testimony.

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In 2012, the 'House Oversight and Government Reform Committee' cited Holder for contempt of the Congress, as he did not respond to the committee's issue of a subpoena regarding the documents related to 'Operation Fast and Furious.'

On August 12, 2013, Holder, on behalf of the 'Justice Department,' launched the 'Smart on Crime' program at the House of Delegates meeting of the 'American Bar Association.'

In September 2014, Holder announced his resignation, and attorney general. Loretta Lynch succeeded him in April 2015.

Holder returned to private practice at 'Covington & Burling' later that year. However, he continued to provide legal assistance in political matters, such as the opposition of the practice of gerrymandering.

In early 2016, Holder represented the South Africa-based telecommunications company 'MTN Group,' negotiating a fine that the government of Nigeria had imposed on the company.

In October 2016, Politico announced Holder's appointment as the chairman of the 'National Democratic Redistricting Committee.' He assumed office the following year.

In October 2018, a Trump supporter named Cesar Sayoc was arrested in Florida for sending packages that were suspected of containing explosives, in an attempt to attack the president, Holder, and other top political figures. Fortunately, none of the devices detonated, and no injury was reported.

That year, Holder hinted at his probable presidential run in 2020.

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Eric Holder Biography - Facts, Childhood, Family Life & Achievements

A jury found a 32-year-old man guilty of murdering rapper Nipsey Hussle back in 2019.

Eric R. Holder Jr. was convicted of a first-degree murder charge along with two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter by a Los Angeles County jury Wednesday.

Holder and Hussle had known each other for years they grew up members of the same South Los Angeles street gang when a chance meeting outside the rappers Los Angeles clothing store led to the shooting, and his death.

The evidence against Holder was overwhelming, from eyewitnesses to surveillance cameras from local businesses that captured his arrival, the shooting and his departure.

A 32-year-old man was convicted of murdering Nipsey Hussle. (AP, File)

RAPPER NIPSEY HUSSLE'S LAST MOMENTS DETAILED AS MURDER TRIAL OPENS

His attorney did not even deny that he was the shooter but urged jurors to find him guilty of the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter.

The shooting of Hussle occurred after a conversation the two had about Holder being an informant for authorities. Holder's lawyer argued the shooting was brought on by "heat of passion" from being accused of "snitching" while Deputy District Attorney John McKinney argued that the nine minutes that passed allowed for the crime to be premeditated.

Defendant Eric Holder Jr., right, and his attorney Aaron Jansen appear at trial. (Frederick M. Brown/Daily Mail.com via AP, Pool)

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The trial regarding Hussle's death began on June 15, and the jury deliberated for six hours over a span of two days.

Hussle, whose legal name is Ermias Asghedom, died at age 33. He had just released his major-label debut album, which earned him his first Grammy nomination, when he was gunned down.

Holder listens during opening statements in his murder trial, Wednesday, June 15 at Los Angeles Superior Court in Los Angeles. (Frederick M. Brown/Daily Mail.com via AP, Pool)

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The rapper is survived by his longtime partner Lauren London and their son, along with a daughter he shared with a previous partner.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Lauryn Overhultz is an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital.

She has interviewed many celebrities including Tori Spelling, Luke Bryan, Shania Twain and more.

Lauryn has done on the ground coverage as well including traveling to New Mexico in 2021 to cover the on-set shooting involving Alec Baldwin.

Lauryn began working in entertainment news in 2019. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Journalism and a B.A in Philosophy.

Connect with Lauryn on LinkedIn.

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Nipsey Hussle death: Eric R. Holder Jr. convicted of first-degree ...