Two men have been found guilty of murder in the 2002 killing of Jam Master Jay (born Jason Mizell), CNN reports. Ronald Washington (Jay’s friend) and Karl Jordan Jr. (Jay’s godson) were convicted of murder while engaged in narcotics trafficking, conspiracy and firearm-related murder by a Brooklyn federal jury.
Washington yelled “Y’all just killed two innocent people” at the jury after the verdict was reached, while Jordan told people who were there supporting him, “I love y’all.” They were both arrested in 2020 and pleaded not guilty.
From Associated Press:
Prosecution witnesses testified that in Mizell’s final months, he had a plan to acquire 10 kilograms of cocaine and sell it through Jordan, Washington and a Baltimore-based dealer. But the Baltimore connection refused to work with Washington, according to testimony.
According to prosecutors, Washington and Jordan went after Mizell for the sake of vengeance, greed and jealousy.
Two eyewitnesses, former studio aide Uriel Rincon and former Mizell business manager Lydia High, testified that Washington blocked the door and ordered High to lie on the floor. She said he brandished a gun.
Rincon identified Jordan as the man who approached Mizell and exchanged a friendly greeting moments before shots rang out and one bullet wounded Rincon himself. Three other people, including a teenage singer who had just stopped by the studio to tout her demo tape, testified that they were in an adjoining room and heard but didn’t see what happened.
From CNN:
A third defendant, Jay Bryant, was charged in May 2023 with murder while engaged in narcotics trafficking and firearm-related murder. He has pleaded not guilty and is set to go on trial separately in January 2026.
…
Defense attorneys said in closing arguments that the real killer was Bryant. A hat found next to Jam Master Jay’s body contained only Bryant’s DNA, and Bryant was the only defendant seen on a security camera, according to the attorneys.
Washington and Jordan each face a prison sentence of 20 years minimum.
