NEW YORK, NY – The trial against Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. for the 2002 murder of Run-D.M.C.’s DJ Jam Master Jay began on Monday, January 29 in Brooklyn federal court. According to the prosecution, the beloved musician’s death was described as “an execution” motivated by greed and revenge.
Prosecutor Miranda Gonzalez detailed to the jury how Jam Master Jay, also known as Jason Mizell, remained humble despite his fame and success with Run-D.M.C. She emphasized his generosity and willingness to help those in need, even letting people stay at his home or studio if they were going through hard times.
As the trial continued, it was revealed that by the mid-’90s, financial struggles led Mizell to pursue other means of income, including acting as a middle man for cocaine distributors and dealers. The disagreement with a distributor in Baltimore in August 2002 eventually led to a violent confrontation, culminating in Mizell’s tragic murder in his Queens music studio on October 30 of that year.
The prosecution described the events leading up to the murder in detail, pointing out that the defendants, Washington and Jordan, killed Mizell in front of people who knew them. They also highlighted the severity of the crime, emphasizing the world-famous status of the victim.
Both defense lawyers presented their opening statements, with John Diaz, representing Jordan, asserting that the evidence against his client was not persuasive. Meanwhile, Ezra Spilke, Washington’s lawyer, pointed to the delay between Mizell’s murder and the trial proceedings as problematic.
The article also mentioned the involvement of a third man, Jay Bryant, who was indicted in Mizell’s killing and is expected to go before a jury in 2026. All three men, including Jordan and Washington, have maintained their innocence throughout the legal proceedings.
The trial is ongoing, and as new evidence and witness testimonies emerge, the case is expected to continue to unfold in the coming days.