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Men Charged With Jam Master Jay Murder Found Guilty
On Tuesday (Feb. 20), XXL confirmed via the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York that Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington were found guilty on all counts. They face at least 20 years behind bars and a maximum of life in prison.U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall announced on Tuesday (Feb. 27) that the jury had finally reached a verdict after two full days of deliberation. One of the jurors was dismissed on Monday (Feb. 26), after the judge had received a concerning note from the jury foreman claiming the juror had been a regular at the Hollis barbershop in Queens, NY. The barbershop was a focal point in the trial since it was around the corner from Mizell’s Merrick Blvd. studio where Jay was killed.
Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York argued during the trial that Jam Master Jay was deeply involved in cocaine trafficking in the mid-1990s as Run D.M.C.'s fame began to fade.
Authorities claimed Jam Master Jay acquired 22 pounds of cocaine that Washington, Jordan and others would later distribute in Maryland. However, Jay allegedly backed out of the plan, and so the defendants concocted a "murder conspiracy" to take him out.
Jay Bryant — who was arrested in May of 2023 and charged with murder after prosecutors claimed he was at the recording studio when Jam Master Jay was killed — will face trial in 2026.
Two Men Found Guilty on All Counts for Jam Master Jay's Murder
