Run-DMC's Jam Master Jay's murder trial commences

Two decades after Jam Master Jay was shot in his recording studio in Queens, Karl Jordan Jr and Ronald Washington have gone to trial in New York accused of his murder.

James Master Jay, his real name being Jason Mizell, was 37 when he was shot in the head at his recording studio in October 2002.

Mizell was one of three members of the popular 80s hip-hop group Run-DMC who were known for tracks such as ‘It’s Tricky’, ‘It’s Like That’ and ‘Walk This Way’ when they collaborated with Aerosmith.

Mizell was found out to be involved as a middleman in cocaine deals even when his musical group actively spoke out against drug culture and recorded the Reagan-era ‘Just Say No’ public service announcement.

Allegedly, Karl Jordan, who was just 18 at the time, and Ronald Washington, then aged 26, believed they would get a share of a $200 thousand dollar drug related deal.  Washington was staying with Mizell’s sister at the time.

The prosecution's opening remarks stated that the two men carried out an “execution”. New York prosecutor Miranda Gonzalez said that this action was “motivated by greed and by revenge,”.

Jay Bryant will also face a trail relating to this case. He allegedly opened the locked back fire exit of the studio to allow Jordan and Washington in, which supposably provided the opportunity for Jordan to shoot Mizell in the head with a handgun.

Jay Bryant is expected to face trial in 2026.

However, Washington’s defence lawyer, Ezra Spilke retorted that this was “one version of many,” of the events that occurred surrounding Mizell’s death and that the defendants “have no clue who did it.”

Spilke continued by telling the jury how much Washington relied on Mizall as a recovering alcoholic and so he questioned “why kill the person you depend on?”

The trail is expected to last four weeks before it comes to a verdict.