Photo via Creative Commons Jeff Pinilla, Run DMC
Aug. 18, 2020 By Christian Murray
Two Queens men have been indicted for the 2002 killing of hip hop artist Jam Master Jay–in what federal prosecutors say puts an end to one of the city’s most notorious cold cases.
Ronald Washington, 36, and Karl Jordan Jr., 56, were both charged with murder for the fatal shooting of the hip hop artist inside his recording studio on Oct. 30, 2002 in Jamaica, Queens.
Jam Master Jay, one of the founding members of Run-DMC and whose real name was Jason Mizell, was shot in cold blood at his Merrick Boulevard recording studio following a dispute over a drug deal, according to federal prosecutors.
According to investigators, Mizell acquired approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine from a narcotics supplier in the Midwest. The cocaine was intended to be distributed in Maryland by Washington, Jordan and other co-conspirators.
Mizell, however, cut Washington out of the deal following a dispute, which precipitated the murder.
Jordan, who is from Hollis, was identified by prosecutors as the triggerman. He allegedly shot Mizell at close range in the head.
“The gunshots that rang out in a recording studio in Queens nearly 18 year ago, taking this pioneering rap artist’s life, have been answered,” said Dermot Shea, the NYPD commissioner in a statement.
Jordan pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Brooklyn federal court on Monday and was ordered to be held without bail. Meanwhile, Washington, also from Hollis, is set to be arraigned later this week.
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