Famed prosecuting attorney Christopher Darden has been the target of angry online threats since deciding to represent Eric Holder, the man arrested for allegedly shooting Nipsey Hussle.
A visionary Los Angeles entrepreneur, musician and social activist, Hussle was shot and killed March 31 outside his Marathon clothing store in South Los Angeles. Two other men were shot at the scene, and the killing was captured on video.
Holder’s bond was set at $5 million and he is being held in solitary confinement out of fear that another inmate will kill him, TMZ reported. If convicted, Holder faces life in prison.
Listen to GHOGH with Jamarlin Martin | Episode 53: Frederick Hutson
Part 1: Jamarlin talks to justice-tech pioneer Frederick Hutson, who founded Pigeonly to create communications products for inmates and their families that reduce the destructive impact of incarceration.
Many people were shocked when the famed prosecutor was named as the accused’s representative for the arraignment. It is uncertain whether or not Darden will continue to represent Holder for the remainder of the case.
Darden and attorney Marsha Clark prosecuted OJ Simpson 24 years ago after OJ was arrested and charged with the stabbing deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ron Goldman. The prosecution lost the case. This is Darden’s next-highest profile case, according to Electronic Urban Report (EurWeb).
Some of the threatening messages Darden received include the following, according to The Blast:
10 Things We Know About Nipsey Hussle’s Alleged Killer Eric Holder aka Shit*ty Cuz
Go Figure: Nipsey Hussle’s Distribution Of Wealth
12 Positive And Motivational Quotes From Nipsey Hussle
Hussle channeled his success as a hip-hop artist into helping others stay out of gangs in the Crenshaw district. He bought shoes for students, repaved basketball courts, provided jobs for formerly incarcerated and shelter for the homeless.
Hussle helped renovate a Mid-City roller rink and redeveloped the strip mall that housed his Marathon Clothing shop where he was shot after an argument with Holder, California News Wire Services reported.
Most people expected Holder to be represented by a public defender, according to The Blast. Many question why Darden would agree to take the case involving such a beloved icon.
Darden’s daughter, Jenee, went on social media last week saying she was “receiving vile comments and messages” since her father took the job.
“I was not prepared for this backlash that has triggered bad memories from the O.J. Simpson trial,” she wrote.
