Photo: Jam Master Jay | By Ayana Archie, NPR Law | More than 21 years after the death of Jam Master Jay, one-third of the legendary hip-hop trio Run-DMC, a jury has found two men guilty of his murder. Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. were convicted Tuesday and face a minimum of 20 years in prison and a maximum life sentence for the 2002 killing of Jam Master Jay, born Jason Mizell, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
Mizell, 37, found success as the DJ for Run-DMC, which also included rappers Joseph “Run” Simmons and Darryl “DMC” McDaniels. The group is considered one of the first mainstream acts in hip-hop and cranked out hits such as 1984’s “It’s Like That” and 1986’s “It’s Tricky.”
“More than two decades after they killed Jason Mizell in his recording studio, Jordan and Washington have finally been held accountable for their cold-blooded crime driven by greed and revenge,” U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said. “That the victim, professionally known as Jam Master Jay, was a hip hop icon and Run-DMC’s music was born in Hollis, Queens, in this very district, and beloved by so many, adds to the tragedy of a life senselessly cut short.”
Along with making music, Mizell had also been selling cocaine, and in August 2002, he received 10 kilograms on consignment to sell in the Maryland area, prosecutors said. Washington and Jordan were brought in on the deal, which was worth almost $200,000. But after a disagreement between Washington and another participant, Mizell cut Washington and Jordan out of the deal, prosecutors said.
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Photo: The late Jam Master Jay | From his Facebook page
2 Men are Found Guilty for the 2002 Killing of Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay
