A New York judge rejected the defense’s request for a mistrial in the Jam Master Jay murder trial on Thursday (February 8). Defense lawyers accused prosecutors of misconduct, claiming “a seed of prejudice” emerged during the prosecution’s questioning of a witness.
According to the Associated Press, Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall reprimanded prosecutors for their guiding questions but allowed the trial to continue. Judge Hall told jurors to ignore the questions and answers at the center of the issue.
Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington are on trial for the 2002 murder of Jam Master Jay. Washington’s ex-girlfriend Daynia McDonald testified in court on Thursday.
McDonald said Washington “basically said yes” when she asked him if he was involved in the Run-DMC DJ’s death. Prosecutors pressed her for a more definitive answer with questions that led to the defense’s call for a mistrial.
“Did he say he killed Jam Master Jay?” and “Did he say that people get what they deserve?” the prosecution asked.
McDonald responded affirmatively to both questions. Jurors left the courtroom before the judge voiced her displeasure with the prosecution. Judge Hall let prosecutors ask if Washington “said anything else about Jam Master Jay’s murder” when the jury returned to the courtroom.
“He just said that he killed him,” McDonald testified.
Jam Master Jay was fatally shot at his recording studio in October 2002. Prosecutors claimed Jordan and Washington killed the late DJ for cutting the defendants out of a drug deal. An eyewitness identified Jordan as the shooter and said Washington stood guard with a gun.
Jordan and Washington pleaded not guilty to murder charges. If convicted, the two face at least 20 years in prison.
A third man, Jay Bryant, was also charged for his alleged role in Jam Master Jay’s murder. Bryant will be tried separately.