Attorney Chris Darden, who was famously part of the prosecution team in theO.J. Simpson’s trial, has withdrawn from theNipsey Husslemurder case after receiving threats against him and his family.
The former prosecutor announced that he was stepping back in aFacebook poston Friday. Holder had a court date scheduled for that same day, which Darden noted was the last time he would appear in the case.
“You guys have been awfully good to me and my family,” he began. “Thank you. I am on my way to appear for the last time in People v. Holder. I filed a Motion to Withdraw from the case.”
Darden continued: “As for my reasons for withdrawing I don’t know whether I will disclose them later or not. I only know that as a lawyer it is my duty to protect the rights of my clients even in the face of threats or angry mobs. This is the silent solemn oath we took as defense counsel. This is the legacy made for me and all of us who practice as defense counsel in the criminal courts.”
Francine Orr/ Los Angeles Times via Getty; Taylor Hill/WireImage
Darden then shared that he and his family had received threats since he took on the case.
“But allow me to say this,” he continued. “After centuries of a history of black men hung from trees without trial, or after the thousands of cases of black men tried, convicted and executed without counsel; after Gideon v. Wainwright & Powell v. Alabama, I cannot understand why in 2019 some people would deny a black man his 6th Amendment right to counsel of his choice. Or why defending such a man should invite threats not only against me but against my children too.”
“The right to counsel is is not only a constitutional right, it is a civil right as well,” Darden added.
Darden concluded: “As for me, I continue to thrive. I continue to be loved. I continue to walk with kings. And I will continue my pursuit of fairness and justice on behalf of my clients and others charged with crimes. After 25 years some of them still haven’t learned: Their lies and threats will never deter me from my mission. Thank you again my good friends. The struggle continues. Thank you.”
Hussle was gunned down in front of his Los Angeles clothing store, Marathon Clothing Company. Two other men were also shot, though they survived their injuries.
LAPD; Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images
At a press conference at the time, LAPD Chief Michel R. Moore described a personal dispute between Holder and Hussle, alleging that Holder showed up in front of Hussle’s clothing store multiple times before shooting him.
“Mr. Holder walked up on multiple occasions and engaged in a conversation with Nipsey and the others that were there,” Moore said. “He left and subsequently came back armed with a handgun and purposefully and repeatedly fired, striking and killing Nipsey Hussle.”
The day after Hussle wasfatally shot, the Los Angeles Police Departmentreleased a statementasking the public to aid in their search for Holder.
source: people.com
