Nipsey O.J. surprise

Ex-prosecutor Darden reps rapper-slay susp

The man charged with murdering rapper Nipsey Hussle pleaded not guilty Thursday during a tense afternoon arraignment with former O.J. Simpson prosecutor Chris Darden acting as his private lawyer.

Eric Holder, 29, was handcuffed and dressed in a blue jail uniform as he stood in an enclosed inmate box with Darden standing just outside.

Darden, 62, was “privately retained” by Holder at the last minute, a prosecution source told the Daily News, and he entered the plea on his client’s behalf. He said Holder denies “all allegations” in the case.

Holder (top photo) said only two words during the brief hearing, answering “Yeah” to two questions posed by the judge about his rights and the scheduling of his preliminary hearing.

Darden argued against a request by media outlets to record the hearing, but the judge allowed it.

“Identity is an issue. To allow media to publish images of my client in jail clothing could (affect) his right to a fair trial,” Darden said.

“Mr. Holder’s image has already been widely distributed throughout the media,” Deputy District Attorney John McKinney said.

“Identity won’t ultimately be an issue in this case … based on the evidence that we have,” he said.

The arraignment took place amid heightened security, with eight armed deputies lining the back wall of the courtroom and nine more holding posts inside and outside the inmate holding pen.

The judge lowered Holder’s bail amount from $7 million to $5 million and ordered him back to court May 10.

The Los Angeles County DA charged Holder on Thursday with murder, attempted murder and possession of a firearm by a felon in the slaying of the Grammynominated rapper (photo) outside his The Marathon clothing store in Los Angeles Sunday.

The wannabe rapper who sang about shootings and body bags faces up to life in state prison.