Trial of Suspects in the Murder of Run DMC’s Jam Master Jay Set to Begin After Years of Mystery
Two men are set to stand trial for the murder of Run DMC star Jam Master Jay over 20 years ago.
The DJ was fatally shot in his recording studio in 2002, making it one of New York City’s most notorious unsolved cases.
In 2020, two men were charged in connection to the murder, and a third was arrested and charged in 2023.
Here is an overview of the trial and what transpired in 2002.
Who was Jam Master Jay – and what happened to him?
The musician, whose real name was Jason Mizell, was the DJ for the iconic hip-hop group Run DMC during the 1980s.
He was fatally shot in his recording studio in Queens, New York at the age of 37.
Run DMC’s renowned hits include King Of Rock, It’s Tricky, and a rendition of Aerosmith’s Walk This Way.
For many years, the circumstances surrounding the star’s death remained a cold case, with reluctance from witnesses to come forward despite reward money being offered.
Who is on trial?
The two men charged in 2020, Karl Jordan Jr, aged 40, and 59-year-old Ronald Washington, are set to stand trial. Washington had allegedly been residing on a sofa at Mizell’s home in the days leading up to his death.
He was identified as a potential suspect or witness as early as 2007.
Both defendants are currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn.
The third man arrested in 2023, Jay Bryant, will face a separate trial in 2025 or 2026.
What was their alleged involvement in Jam Master Jay’s death?
At the time of their 2020 arrests, prosecutors claimed that the motive for the killing was a botched drug deal. It was alleged that the two men entered Mizell’s studio in search of 10 kilograms of cocaine intended for sale in Maryland.
Mizell, who reportedly possessed the drugs at the time, informed Washington that he would not participate in the deal, “which led to the murder conspiracy”, according to prosecutors.
What do we know about the trial?
Both men are facing charges of murder while engaged in narcotics trafficking and firearm-related murder.
The death penalty is not being pursued for either defendant.
The jury has been selected, and the trial is anticipated to last approximately four weeks.
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