(PatriotPostNews.com) – More than 20 years after the murder of hip-hop artist Jason Mizell, known on stage as Jam Master Jay, two men have been convicted in connection to his death.
The United States Department of Justice announced on February 27 that Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan, Jr., have been found guilty of murder for their participation in drug trafficking and the fatal shooting that killed the musician in 2002.
Both men were dealt a grand jury indictment four years ago. At the time, prosecutors in the case were calling the incident a “drug-related homicide.”
Jordan and Washington have both been charged with murder that occurred during a conspiracy to traffic narcotics. The crime took place 22 years ago inside Mizell’s recording studio.
The hip-hop artist is a co-founder of the musical group Run-DMC, which formed in the 1980s. He started this group with fellow artists Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels and Joseph “Rev Run” Simmons. Mizell received a fatal bullet in October 2002 in his recording studio in Queens, New York.
Prosecutors said that Mizell was engaged in drug trafficking in the 90s, having gathered at least 22 pounds of cocaine that was intended to be part of a deal he made with Washington and Jordan. Attorneys argued that Washington hatched a plan to kill Mizell after the artist was removed from involvement in the drug deal.
Following the guilty verdict on Tuesday, Edward Caban, commissioner of the New York Police Department, said that the case may have been “cold” for two decades but was “never a forgotten case.” He added that he hopes the “long-expected” and “deserved justice” that was dealt would provide “closure” to Mizell’s family.
40-year-old Jordan and 59-year-old Washington could be sentenced a minimum of 20 years in prison to a maximum of life behind bars.
Jay Bryant, a third suspect, was dealt similar charges in May 2023. He is suspected of having allowed Jordan and Washington to enter the studio. Bryant has already entered a plea of not guilty, and his trial is set to begin in January 2026.
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