NEW YORK, NEW YORK – Nearly 22 years after the murder of Run-DMC’s DJ Jam Master Jay, two men from Queens will stand trial for his killing in Brooklyn Federal Court starting on Monday, January 29, 2024. Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr were charged in August 2020 with murder, narcotics trafficking, and firearm-related murder for fatally shooting the artist, whose real name is Jason Mizell.
According to federal prosecutors, Washington and Jordan burst into Mizell’s recording studio in Jamaica, Queens, in October 2002, where Washington pointed his gun at one person and ordered them to lie on the floor, while Jordan fired two close-range shots at Mizell, killing him and injuring another person.
The Feds also allege that Mizell was involved in cocaine distribution, obtaining 10 kilos on consignment, which led to a dispute with Washington and his co-conspirators, ultimately resulting in a plot to kill him. Additionally, a new indictment in May 2023 charged another man, Jay Bryant, in the murder, presenting evidence that he was present at the studio during the shooting and left a piece of clothing with his DNA at the scene.
Prosecutors described Washington’s and Jordan’s efforts to intimidate and silence witnesses, making it challenging to bring the case to trial. Eyewitness identification, admissions from Washington, and alleged consciousness of guilt evidence against the defendants will likely play a significant role in the trial.
The motive behind Mizell’s murder remained elusive, with theories ranging from a music-industry feud to a potential grudge against 50 Cent, who Mizell had signed to his record label at the time. Witness identification, DNA evidence, and alleged alibi witnesses will also be key factors in the trial.
If found guilty, both men face a minimum of 20 years to a maximum of life in federal prison, as the death penalty has been ruled out for this case. As the trial unfolds, the quest for justice in Jam Master Jay’s murder will hopefully bring closure to his family and friends, nearly two decades after his tragic death.