Witness says ‘snitching’ talk preceded Nipsey Hussle killing

LOS ANGELES >>

Court transcripts unsealed Thursday show that rapper Nipsey Hussle and the man charged with killing him had a conversation about “snitching” shortly before the rapper was shot.

In the grand jury transcripts, a witness testified that the rapper told Eric Holder of rumors that Holder had been snitching about the Rollin’ 60s gang, and that police documents or court records showed it.

“You need to address it,” the witness, Hussle’s friend Herman Douglas, remembers the rapper saying. “You know, basically telling the guy you need to be careful, you know, because people got some paperwork on you.”

The witness, Hussle’s friend Herman Douglas, testified that he, Hussle and Holder had all been affiliated with the gang at some point, though he and Hussle had not been involved in any recent gang activity.

Holder shot and killed Hussle and wounded two other men March 31 as they stood outside the Marathon, Hussle’s South Los Angeles clothing store. Holder has pleaded not guilty.

A homicide investigator testified at the hearing that surveillance camera footage showed Holder running from the scene with a gun in each hand.

The transcripts offered the first glimpse into the prosecution’s case against Holder, who was arrested on April 2, two days after the shooting. Los Angeles police Chief Michel Moore had said two days after the shooting that the dispute between Holder and Hussle was personal, and did not involve gang activity. Asked about those comments Thursday, LAPD spokesman Officer Tony Im said he had no additional information Thursday, and the department likely won’t release more information because the case is in court.

The woman who drove Holder from the scene also testified she heard the men talk about “snitching.”