Two individuals were found guilty on Tuesday for the murder of renowned Run-DMC member Jam Master Jay, whose real name was Jason Mizell, at his rap studio in 2002. Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington were convicted of the crime by a federal jury in Brooklyn.
Jam Master Jay, celebrated for hits like “It’s Tricky,” “It’s Like That,” and the collaboration “Walk This Way” with Aerosmith, played a pivotal role in the rise of hip-hop during the 1980s. Mizell later established his own record label and operated a studio in his native Queens neighborhood, where he nurtured emerging talents, including rapper 50 Cent.
The fatal shooting of Mizell occurred on October 30, 2002, within his studio premises, with witnesses present at the scene. Similar to the unsolved murders of other rap icons such as Tupac Shakur in the 1990s, the case remained unresolved for several years until now. It has taken over two decades to bring justice to Jam Master Jay, leaving his fans and the music industry awaiting closure for many years. Despite authorities’ efforts to dispel rumors and theories, obtaining witness testimonies proved challenging.
Ronald Washington, aged 59, was a childhood friend of Jam Master Jay, while Karl Jordan Jr., aged 49, was Jay’s godson. Both initially pleaded not guilty to all charges following their arrest in 2020.
During his closing argument, Assistant US Attorney Artie McConnel urged the jury to deliver justice swiftly, emphasizing the prolonged wait of twenty years. He stated, “Twenty years is a long time to wait for justice. Don’t let this go on for another minute.”
Following the verdict, Ronald Washington protested loudly, accusing the jury of killing two innocent individuals. Supporters of Karl Jordan also expressed discontent, causing disruption. Both Jordan and Washington now face a potential sentence of 20 years to life in prison.
Prosecutors alleged that Washington and Jordan turned against Jam Master Jay over a narcotics trafficking deal. Washington had been publicly identified as a suspect in the murder since 2007. However, in a 2003 interview with Playboy magazine, he claimed to have been outside the studio during the shooting, only hearing the gunshots.