Sentencing of man convicted of murdering Nipsey Hussle postponed

The sentencing hearing for the man convicted of gunning down beloved Los Angeles rapper Nipsey Hussle three years ago was postponed Thursday.

Eric R. Holder Jr. was scheduled to have his sentencing hearing Thursday in a Los Angeles courtroom, but the proceeding was continued, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office said. The reason was not immediately known.

He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Holder was convicted of first-degree murder in July for the March 31, 2019, killing of Hussle in a parking lot outside the rapper’s South Los Angeles apparel shop. He was 33.

Holder was also found guilty of two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter after two other people were injured.

Hussle, who was born Ermias Asghedom, had grown up with Holder, and they were members of the same gang, the Rollin' 60s. Prosecutors argued that Holder was upset over accusations that he was a snitch and that it was premeditated when he approached Hussle outside his shop, the Marathon, and opened fire.

Hussle was struck at least 10 times. Afterward, Holder kicked him in the head and fled, Deputy District Attorney John McKinney told jurors. Images shared at the trial showed him running away with a semiautomatic pistol.

Holder's lawyer, Aaron Jansen, had described the shooting as a fit of "heated passion." After his conversation with Hussle, Holder hadn't had time to cool off when he returned to the shop with a gun, he argued. Jansen described the charges as excessive.

Hussle, whose debut studio album earned him a Grammy nomination months before his death, was a father of two, a celebrated community leader and an advocate who spoke out against gun violence.

In August, on what would have been his 37th birthday, Hussle was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com