When it was revealed that Christopher Darden was going to be the defense attorney for Eric Holder, the man who’s accused of murdering iconic rapper Nipsey Hussle, Darden and his family instantly received death threats.
So that could be the reason he’s filed a motion to resign as Holder’s lawyer and said the suspect’s hearing on Friday, May 10, in L.A. Superior Court would be the last time he’ll represent him.
Darden also acknowledged all the threats that came his way and issued a stern message to those responsible. Darden, of course, was one of the prosecutors in O.J. Simpson‘s 1995 double murder trial, and he compared the hate he received at that time to today.
“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; 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,” Darden wrote Friday on Facebook.
“Just as they were in 1995, cowards never change,” he added. “These days these cowards don’t send letters instead they sit anonymously behind keyboards threatening a man’s mother and children.”
The defense attorney then directed some words directly at his detractors and let them know that he won’t abandoned his beliefs, nor be kept from living a quality life.
“To those who issued those threats to my children please pay close attention so there is no misunderstanding. Later. F–K YOU!” he wrote. “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,” continued Darden. “After 25 years some of them still haven’t learned. Their lies and threats will never deter me from my mission.”
Holder was arrested on April 2, two days after reportedly shooting and killing Hussle in the Hyde Park section of Los Angeles. Holder was then charged with one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder, for shooting two others, and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. He’s pleaded not guilty and his bond was set at $5 million. With Darden’s withdrawal, Holder has been assigned a public defender, according to news reports.
You can read Darden’s full statement below.
