A jury delivered a guilty verdict on Tuesday in the trial of two men accused of murdering Jam Master Jay, the legendary DJ of Run-D.M.C. The incident occurred in 2002 at his music studio in Hollis, Queens. Jam Master Jay, born Jason Mizell, was shot and killed in the studio.
Prosecutors argued that Mizell’s godson, Karl Jordan Jr., and his childhood friend, Ronald Washington, were responsible for the murder after being excluded from a cocaine trafficking operation.
The verdict brought mixed reactions, with some celebrating the decision while acknowledging the complexity of the case. The jury deliberated for three days on what is considered one of hip-hop’s most notorious unsolved cases.
U.S. Attorney Breon Peace remarked on the challenges faced during the investigation, highlighting that fear of retaliation kept many witnesses from coming forward. Despite these obstacles, law enforcement remained committed to solving the case.
Mizell’s cousin, Carlis Thompson, expressed relief at the verdict, noting the lengthy wait for justice. Eyewitnesses testified that Jordan was the gunman, while Washington stood guard. The trial, which lasted a month, unveiled details of Mizell’s involvement in cocaine trafficking, a part of his life he had kept hidden. Prosecutors claimed that after being cut out of a drug deal by Mizell, Jordan and Washington conspired to kill him, allegedly with the assistance of a third individual, Jay Bryant.
Bryant, charged last year, is accused of facilitating entry into the studio for Jordan and Washington. He has pled not guilty and will be tried separately.
Ryan Thompson, another cousin of Mizell, acknowledged the difficult truth revealed during the trial, admitting to being unaware of certain aspects of Mizell’s life.
The defense presented a memory expert to argue that the case relied heavily on fading memories, pointing out that Bryant’s DNA was the only one found at the scene. Jordan’s mother, Jacqueline Gonzalez, expressed disbelief at the verdict, maintaining her son’s innocence.
Jordan, 40, and Washington, 59, face potential sentences ranging from 20 years to life in federal prison. Defense attorneys plan to appeal the conviction. Although the charges could warrant the death penalty, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland instructed federal prosecutors not to pursue it.