Two men were convicted of murder in the 2002 killing of Jam Master Jay, a federal jury in Brooklyn handed down its verdict Tuesday.
A federal court has convicted Carl Jordan Jr., 40, and Ronald Washington, 59, of murdering the legendary DJ. according to to the Hollywood Reporter. Jam Master Jay, real name Jason Mizell, was a member of the pioneering hip-hop group Run-DMC.
The verdict sparked an emotional outburst in court. Washington was shocked and accused the jury of convicting an innocent man, but Jordan's supporters also voiced their disapproval.
BREAKING: Two men have been found guilty in the 2002 murder of Run-DMC's Jammaster Jay, one of hip-hop's most infamous murders. https://t.co/JqBMlQp24l
— Associated Press (@AP) February 27, 2024
Mizell was murdered in his studio on October 30, 2002. Jordan is DJ's godson, and Washington was staying at DJ's sister's house, THR noted. The two were arrested and charged in 2020, but have maintained their innocence throughout the proceedings. (Related: “8 Mile'' rapper, super host arrested on suspicion of murdering wife, police release: report)
“Twenty years is a long time to wait for justice,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Artie McConnell said in closing remarks. “Please don't continue this any longer.”
For years, rumors and suspicions have swirled around the two men in connection with the incident. Authorities formally identified Washington as a suspect in 2007. Washington admitted in a 2003 interview with Playboy that he was outside the studio at the time of the shooting and saw “Little D” (Jordan's nickname) fleeing the scene. The outlet reported. Prosecutors said the attack on the rap icon was motivated by a dispute over a cocaine deal.
Despite Mizell's public stance against drug use, prosecutors and witnesses during his trial said he engaged in drug dealing to manage his debts and continue to provide financial support to friends. THR reported that he was depicted as doing so.
At the trial, prosecution witnesses revealed that Mizell intended to involve dealers in Jordan, Washington, and Baltimore to purchase and distribute 10 kilograms of cocaine. Prosecutors argued that the plan ultimately failed because the Baltimore dealer decided not to work with Washington, and Washington and Jordan then targeted Mizell, according to THR.
