Two men convicted of Run-DMC star’s murder in 2002

On May 30, 2002, two men were convicted of the murder of Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay. Jay, whose real name was Jason Mizell, was shot and killed in a recording studio in Queens, New York.

The two men, Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr., were found guilty of orchestrating the murder as part of a drug-related dispute. Washington was a childhood friend of Mizell and had reportedly been involved in a drug trafficking operation with him.

The case remained unsolved for nearly 18 years before new evidence came to light that led to the arrests of Washington and Jordan. In November 2020, both men were indicted on charges of murder, conspiracy, and firearm-related offenses.

After a lengthy trial, a jury found Washington and Jordan guilty on all charges. They were both sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The murder of Jam Master Jay sent shockwaves through the music industry and the hip-hop community. Jay was widely respected for his contributions to the genre as a founding member of the iconic group Run-DMC.

His tragic death served as a reminder of the dangers that can come with fame and success, and the importance of seeking justice for victims of violent crimes.