The man accused of killing rapper Nipsey Hussle was attacked with a razor the day before jurors were expected to begin deliberations in his murder trial.
Eric R. Holder Jr. was attacked by "multiple individuals" while he awaited transportation to the Los Angeles courthouse Tuesday morning, his attorney Aaron Jansen said. The back of Holder's head was injured after he was assaulted with a razor.
"He was taken to the hospital and received an MRI and staples in the back of his head," Jansen told NBC News in a statement Wednesday.
The attack pushed back closing arguments, which are now scheduled for Thursday.
No motive was given. Jansen said plans to ensure Holder's safety were discussed with the judge.
Holder is accused of shooting and killing Hussle, whose real name was Ermias Asghedom, on March 31, 2019. Hussle was shot at least 10 times in the parking lot outside his South Los Angeles store, known as The Marathon.
Holder, Hussle and two other people were at The Marathon. Holder had been angered over accusations he was a snitch, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney John McKinney said during the trial.
The prosecutor's office cited numerous witnesses who said Holder returned later that day, walked up to Hussle and shot him in a premeditated attack.
Jansen told the jury that Holder attacked Hussle in a fit of "heated passion," reacting to the conversation before he had time to cool off. He alleged that the charges were excessive because there was no premeditated plan to kill Hussle.
Holder was charged with one count of first degree-murder, along with two counts of attempted first-degree murder in connection with two other people who were injured in the shooting. He faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted.
