Jam Master Jay Trial Opens Two Decades After Run-DMC DJ’s Murder

The trial for two men accused of the 2002 murder of Jam Master Jay began with prosecutors alleging that the men had killed the Run-DMC DJ after feeling cut out of a cocaine trafficking deal he was involved in. Defense attorneys for the men countered that the U.S. government had faulty info based on the faded, decades-old memories of witnesses. The opening remarks took place at the United States District Court – Eastern Division of New York in Brooklyn on Monday morning. Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall is presiding over the cases of Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington, the two men the U.S. government has indicted in the murder of the DJ, whose real name was Jason Mizell. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty, and each faces a minimum of 20 years in prison if convicted; Jordan faces additional charges for drug trafficking. In opening remarks, U.S. Attorney Miranda Gonzalez outlined the government’s case against the men. Jordan, dressed in a blue suit vest, was Mizell’s godson and grew up across the street from the DJ while Washington, who appeared to be smiling at times, was a childhood friend. Nevertheless, she said Jordan shot a 40-caliber bullet into Mizell’s head...