Jam Master Jay: Godson and childhood friend guilty of Run-DMC star's murder
The godson and childhood friend of Jam Master Jay, a member of the influential hip-hop group Run-DMC, have been convicted of his murder in New York City over 20 years ago.
Murder Conviction for Jam Master Jay's Godson and Friend
Karl Jordan Jr, 40, and Ronald Washington, 59, have been found guilty of the murder of Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay, whose real name was Jason Mizell. The trial uncovered that they targeted Mizell at his recording studio after being excluded from a drug deal. Mizell was shot in the head on October 30, 2002, in Queens.
After the jury reached a guilty verdict, Washington shouted at them, accusing them of killing two innocent people. Jordan's supporters also reacted angrily towards the jury. Both defendants now face a prison sentence of 20 years to life.
Jam Master Jay was one of the founding members of Run-DMC, along with Joseph Simmons and Darryl McDaniels. The group, which originated from the Hollis neighborhood in Queens, became one of the most influential hip-hop acts of all time in the 1980s with hits like 'It's Tricky,' 'It's Like That,' and 'Walk This Way,' a collaboration with Aerosmith. Although the group publicly opposed drug use, Mizell became involved in cocaine trafficking as their popularity waned in the 1990s.
Trial Details and Eyewitness Testimonies
During the four-week trial, the defense challenged the prosecution's version of events and the accuracy of eyewitness testimonies given the passage of time. However, prosecutors presented numerous witnesses and forensic evidence to support their claims that the accused committed a motivated, execution-style murder due to greed and revenge. The murder remained unsolved for years until Jordan and Washington were charged by federal prosecutors in 2020.
Key eyewitnesses, Uriel 'Tony' Rincon and Lydia High, both testified at the trial. Rincon stated that he and Mizell were playing a video game when Jordan entered the room, shook hands with Mizell, and then began shooting. High, an employee of Mizell's record label, witnessed the shooting and said Washington ordered her to the floor during the killers' escape. Both witnesses initially refrained from identifying the killers due to fear.
Other witnesses also testified that Jordan had bragged about committing the murder. US prosecutor Breon Peace stated that witnesses in the recording studio were terrified of retaliation if they cooperated with law enforcement.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Another individual, Jay Bryant, is currently awaiting a separate trial in relation to the murder of Jam Master Jay. Bryant is accused of providing access to Jordan and Washington by letting them through the back door of the studio where Mizell was located. His trial is expected to take place in 2026.
The conviction of Jam Master Jay's godson and childhood friend brings some closure to the long-standing unsolved murder case. The hip-hop community and fans continue to mourn the loss of the influential artist.
Topics: New York City, Hip-hop, Music
