Jam Master Jay Murdered By Childhood Friend And Godson, According To Prosecutors

DJ Jam Master Jay fell victim to an ambush and execution orchestrated by his godson, Karl Jordan Jr., and childhood friend Ronald Washington.

Reuters reported that Run-DMC’s legendary DJ Jam Master Jay fell victim to an ambush and execution orchestrated by his godson, Karl Jordan Jr., and childhood friend Ronald Washington, according to prosecutors. The trial, underway in Brooklyn federal court, is shedding light on the unresolved slaying that occurred in 2002 and has long haunted the hip-hop community.

Assistant United States Attorney Miranda Gonzalez vividly described the alleged crime during opening arguments, stating, “The bullet burned his hair and skin on his head.” Jordan and Washington are facing charges of murder while engaged in narcotics trafficking and firearm-related murder, with additional drug distribution charges lodged against Jordan.

The prosecution alleges that Jordan shot Jam Master Jay point-blank in the head while the DJ was playing video games on a couch in his Jamaica, Queens recording studio. The incident unfolded on October 30, 2002, with Tony Rincon sustaining a gunshot wound in the leg while Lydia High was discovered hysterical in the studio. Jordan was identified as the shooter months later by High and in 2016 by Rincon.

Accused accomplice Jay Bryant reportedly facilitated the entrance of Jordan and Washington through a fire escape. Jordan allegedly entered the studio and shot Mizell when he stood up, resulting in instantaneous death.

Gonzalez emphasized the personal connection between Mizell and the accused, contending that he had financially supported them by involving them in his drug-dealing enterprise when the musical group lost its prominence. However, a fallout occurred when Mizell excluded Jordan and Washington from a $200,000 narcotics deal in Baltimore, allegedly triggering the fatal encounter.

“It was motivated by greed and revenge,” Gonzalez declared.

Jordan’s chilling alleged admission that, if Mizell were still alive, he would “kill him again” surfaced two decades after the slaying, underscoring the deep-seated animosity that fueled the crime.

Defense attorneys argued that the government’s case relies on “aging memories” and lacks physical evidence. Detective James Lusk admitted under cross-examination that no photos of the fire escape were taken in 2002, and there was no video surveillance footage, despite the studio having a security system.

Ezra Spilke, Washington’s lawyer, emphasized that his client, struggling with alcoholism at the time, was reliant on Mizell for shelter, questioning the motive behind harming the one who provided support.

The trial, expected to last four weeks, promises to unravel the complex dynamics that led to the shocking demise of Jam Master Jay, a hip-hop pioneer whose legacy endures.