A New York jury heard opening statements in the Jam Master Jay murder trial on Monday (January 29). Assistant U.S. Attorney Miranda Gonzalez accused Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington of killing the Run-DMC for cutting the two men out of a drug deal.
Jordan and Washington are two of the three people charged in the murder of Jam Master Jay, whose real name was Jason Mizell. The third defendant, Jay Bryant, will be tried separately.
“October 30, 2002 was the last day of Jason Mizell’s life,” Gonzalez said, per the New York Daily News. “It was an ambush, an execution, and you’ll learn that it was motivated by greed and by revenge.”
Prosecutors claimed Jam Master Jay acquired 10 kilos of cocaine and planned to distribute it with the help of his alleged killers. The late DJ and Washington drove to Baltimore to see a dealer, who refused to work with Washington. As a result, Jordan and Washington were left out of a deal worth $200,000.
Jordan and Washington allegedly got their revenge by killing Jam Master Jay with the help of Bryant. Prosecutors said Jordan shot the DJ in the head and wounded Uriel “Tony” Rincon. Jam Master Jay’s manager Lydia High and Rincon are expected to testify in the trial.
Washington’s lawyer Ezra Spilke told jurors the prosecution had “no clue” who actually killed Jam Master Jay. The attorney characterized the case as taped together by glue and raised doubts about the validity of the witness testimony.
“We’re not saying they’re all a bunch of liars,” he said. “We’re not saying that. But common sense tells you that memories can fade.”
Jordan and Washington pleaded not guilty to murder charges. They face at least 20 years in prison if convicted. Prosecutors will not seek the death penalty.
