Jam Master Jay's Murder Trial: Everything We Know

Jam Master Jay, the pioneering DJ who propelled Run-DMC to become hip-hop's first superstar group, was gunned down in a recording studio in Queens, New York more than two decades ago. Now three men will stand trial over the death of the DJ, whose real name was Jason Mizell. Prosecutors allege the men were dealing drugs with Mizell at the time they shot and killed him over a deal gone bad.

In 2020, federal authorities charged two of the men — Ronald Washington and Carl Jordan, Jr. — with one count of murder while involved in drug trafficking and another count of firearm-related murder. Jordan faces more charges of distributing cocaine. Both men pleaded not guilty.

Their trial will take place in the US District Court — Eastern District of New York in Brooklyn starting Monday. Selection for an anonymous jury began earlier this week, with each man facing at least 20 years in prison if convicted.

Last May, prosecutors also charged another man, Jay Bryant, in Mizell's death with murder while engaging in drug trafficking and other drug-trafficking charges. Prosecutors allege he was with Washington on the day of the murder. (Bryan's trial will likely begin next year. He recently pleaded guilty to an unrelated drug charge and will be sentenced in March, according to New York Daily NEWS.)

An indictment for the three alleged killers was originally dated August 13, 2020, and was updated in May 2023, alleging that the three men participated in a conspiracy to sell five kilograms or more of cocaine and that they “knowingly and intentionally killed.” Mizell. The filing also alleges that Jordan, who is also known as Little D and Noid, worked with others to distribute cocaine “within the Eastern District of New York and elsewhere” between March 2016 and August 2020. He was also charged with carrying a weapon while allegedly to traffic drugs, with the deposition naming specific dates on which he allegedly sold cocaine.

The United States Attorney's Office he claimed in a press release that Washington and Jordan entered the recording studio where Mizell was working and Washington ordered another man inside the studio to lie on the floor. Jordan allegedly fired two shots, one that killed Mizell and the second that struck the other person in the leg.

The motive, prosecutors alleged, was that Mizell had obtained 10 kilograms of coke in July 2002 from a Midwest supplier. Washington, Jordan and others were supposed to distribute it to Maryland, but before that happened, Mizell informed Washington that he was no longer part of the deal. This supposedly prompted Washington to want to kill him.

“Eyewitnesses who were present at the studio when the defendants murdered Mizell have identified both defendants,” the Justice Department wrote in a letter to United States Magistrate Lois Bloom. “Additionally, Washington has made various admissions – both to law enforcement and third parties – that confirm his involvement in both the murder and the drug conspiracy.”

Prosecutors later added Bryant, who was already in custody on other drug charges, to the indictment based on a piece of clothing left at the crime scene that they claim contained his DNA. his lawyer said Rolling rock last year that he would plead not guilty.

Although there were about six witnesses to the shooting besides Uriel Rincon, the man who was shot in the leg and survived, it took years for authorities to make any arrests. Mizell, who was 37 at the time of his death, is survived by his wife, Terri, and three children.

“Revenge is not for us to care for. God will take care of it. We don't want a Hollis war going on,” Terri said at a 2002 press conference, referring to the Queens neighborhood where Run-DMC was formed.

The killing occurred near Hollis as Mizell and Rincon took a break from recording a group called Rusty Waters at 24/7 Studio in Jamaica, Queens. The men were playing video games at about 7:30 p.m. when the perpetrators entered the studio. Rincon described the killer as a black man, about six feet tall and weighing 180 pounds, according to a Rolling rock report. The killer, who was reportedly wearing a mask, was dressed in a black sweatshirt and a black hat. While a man stood guard, the killer shot Mizell in the back of the head at an unknown distance.

At the time, authorities offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. The amount was later raised to $250,000 after Eminem, Russell Simmons, Jay-Z, Aerosmith, Kid Rock and record executive Lyor Cohen pledged more money.

In 2002, authorities speculated that the motive for the shooting was that Mizell had sold music for the same song to two different artists, earning as much as $100,000. Police believed one of the artists might have been angry about it, according to another Rolling rock report. The DJ is also reportedly in debt, owing money to friends and $400,000 in back taxes. A family member told police that someone had called and threatened to “come” from Georgia to collect on a debt. Friends would later say the alleged killers were local.

In July 2003, Washington hit Jordan, also known as “Little D,” and his father, Darren “Big D” Jordan, for allegedly linking them to the murder. Washington said in New York Daily NEWS that he saw the two men enter the studio and flee through a back exit shortly after. The Jordans denied involvement in Mizell's death at the time. “I don't know who did it, but I know who didn't,” said an unnamed source Rolling rock in 2003. “Big D and Little D were real good friends of Jay's.” Washington also denied involvement in Mizell's death at the time.

Despite the publicity surrounding the murder, the police seemed to have little to do for years. In 2007, Mizell's longtime partner, Randy Allen, revealed that one of the gunmen had “a tattoo on his neck.” he did not see the shooting but his sister did. Rolling rock reported at the time of this revelation that Washington was a suspect but not charged.

Within days of Mizell's death, his remaining trio, MCs Run and DMC, announced that the group had disbanded. They also pledged to help Mizell's family with their tax debt. Although they have performed together sporadically since then, they have not recorded music together since Mizell's death.

“It's been a difficult 18 years not having him around knowing his killers have yet to be charged with this heinous crime,” DMC said in 2020 at the time of Washington and Jordan's arrests. “I commend the NYPD, the NYPD, the federal agents and all law enforcement involved in this case, who did not give up and worked to bring justice for Jay. I realize this is a first step in the legal process, but I hope Jay can finally rest in peace.”

In 2022, Jordan sought to withdraw his indictment or a separate trial from Washington, citing an interview Washington gave in 2003 Idle. In the article, Washington claimed she saw Jordan leave the scene. “I'm sure it was Little D,” Washington said in the article. “I glared at him before he ran off. Little D told me, “My pops shouldn't have shot Jay. This shouldn't have happened.” Prosecutors responded by saying they did not intend to use it Idle interview as evidence. A judge ruled that the trial will proceed as planned.

Mizell's violent death shocked his fans, given that Run-DMC never glamorized violence. Formed in 1983, the band achieved almost immediate fame thanks in part to Mizell's innovative turntable. They became the first hip-hop group with an MTV video (“Rock Box”), the first to receive a platinum album (Raising Hell), the first to get a song in the Top 10 (“Walk This Way,” with Aerosmith) and the first with a Rolling rock cover. The trio defined hip-hop fashion with black cap Adidas shoes and tracksuits. Mizell was the first hip-hop musician with a fashion line, Walker Wear. Mizell's JMJ Records also helped launch the careers of Onyx and 50 Cent.

“Jay was the real deal, a street kid, a tough guy, a lovable guy,” Public Enemy's Chuck D said in 2002. “Run-DMC is like the Beatles to me. Jam Jay was the epitome of a group DJ. He wouldn't try to over-hype his rappers. He is the heart and soul of Run-DMC and orchestrated perhaps the best hip-hop show of all time.”