Two men charged in 2002 killing of Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay
- Men accused of killing Run-DMC star after he had planned to exclude them from a plan to sell cocaine
- US attorney for Brooklyn denounced the ‘cold-blooded murder’ of the music legend
Two people have been charged in connection with the murder of hip hop innovator Jam Master Jay of the seminal group Run-DMC, an infamous New York slaying that’s gone unsolved for 18 years.
On Monday, prosecutors announced the 10-count indictment against the alleged suspects Ronald Washington – who is already in federal custody – and Karl Jordan Jnr, who was arrested Sunday.
The charges are linked to the events of October 30, 2002, when the pioneering rap music star Jason “Jay” Mizell was fatally shot in the head at his studio in Queens. The artist was 37 years old and a father of three.
Jordan Jnr, 36, pleaded not guilty to all counts Monday in a teleconferenced arraignment. Washington, 56, will be arraigned at a later date.
Both defendants face charges of murder while engaged in narcotics trafficking, and firearms-related murder. Jordan also faces several additional narcotics distribution counts.
If convicted, each defendant faces 20 years to life in prison, or the death penalty.