Two men have been found guilty of murdering Jam Master Jay, one-third of the pioneering hip-hop trio Run-DMC.
After a four-week trial, Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. were convicted on Tuesday (February 27) of shooting and killing Jason Mizell (aka Jam Master Jay), 37, in his NYC recording studio on October 30, 2002.
They now face a minimum of 20 years in prison and a maximum life sentence, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York.
According to prosecutors, the murder was a result of Mizell getting involved in dealing drugs to pay his debts. He had reportedly been selling cocaine, with Washington and Jordan (Mizell's godson) helping him deal an amount estimated at $200,000. Mizell is said to have cut the defendants out of the deal, which led to them breaking into the studio and fatally shooting the DJ in the head twice. A friend of Mizell's was also shot in the leg.
"More than two decades after they killed Jason Mizell in his recording studio, Jordan and Washington have finally been held accountable for their cold-blooded crime driven by greed and revenge," said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace. "That the victim, professionally known as Jam Master Jay, was a hip hop icon and Run-DMC's music was born in Hollis, Queens, in this very district, and beloved by so many, adds to the tragedy of a life senselessly cut short."
The surviving members of Run-DMC, Joseph Simmons and Darryl McDaniels, paid tribute to their late DJ on Instagram, writing, "We’re thankful this trial has come to an end and will hopefully give some closure to Jay’s family. Jay will always hold a special place in the hearts of all his friends, and all the people he inspired, mentored and gave an opportunity. He is the heart and soul of RUN DMC, and we will forever miss him."
Jam Master Jay's murder was featured in the Netflix series, ReMastered: Who Killed Jam Master Jay?, which helped lead investigators to the identity of his killers.