More than two decades after the mysterious killing of hip hop legend Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell at his Jamaica, Queens recording studio, federal prosecutors have convicted two men of murder, saying they were motivated by greed and revenge to “execute” him.
Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington were found guilty of murder while engaged in a narcotics trafficking conspiracy and firearm-related murder in the Oct. 30, 2002 shooting, federal prosecutors said on Tuesday. Both men face a minimum of 20 years behind bars and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Prosecutors said that Jordan, Jr., boasted that if Mizell was still alive, “I’d kill him again.”
“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,” United States Attorney Breon Peace said in a statement. “That the victim, professionally known as Jam Master Jay, was a hip hop icon and Run-D.M.C.’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.”
Mizell was a member of the hip hop group Run-D.M.C., known for 1980s hits “It’s Tricky,” “King of Rock” and “Beats to the Rhyme.”
A third person charged in the murder, Jay Bryant, is expected to stand trial separately. Prosecutors say he opened the door to the studio for Jordan and Washington.
Attorneys for Jordan and Washington left court without commenting. They said in court they planned to appeal the verdict,which could take several years. Jordan and Washington are currently being held in federal detention in Brooklyn.
Jordan’s mother, Jacqueline Gonzalez, said she was angry at the verdict and accused prosecutors’ 35 witnesses of lying.
“I believe he’s innocent. I believe he had nothing to do with this,” she said. “ We loved Jason, my son loved Jason.”
Two first cousins for Mizell attended every day of…
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