Two men have been charged in the death of Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell, who was shot and killed nearly 18 years ago at his recording studio in Hollis, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York announced on Monday, Aug. 17.
Two men, Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan, have been charged in the music legend’s death. Each have been charged with narcotics trafficking and murder, according to feds. Jordan was arrested on Sunday, Aug. 16, and Washington, who is already in federal custody, will be arraigned at a later date, according to acting U.S. Attorney Seth D. DuCharme.
“The defendants allegedly carried out the cold-blooded murder of Jason Mizell, a brazen act that has finally caught up with them thanks to the dedicated detectives, agents and prosecutors who never gave up on this case,” DuCharme said. “The charges announced today begin to provide a measure of justice to the family and friends of the victim, and make clear that the rule of law will be upheld, whether that takes days, months or decades.”
Mizell, who was a member of the hip-hop group Run-D.M.C., was shot and killed on Oct. 30, 2002, inside his recording studio 24/7 Studio, located on Merrick Boulevard. Around 7:30 p.m., Jordan and Washington, who both lived in Hollis, entered the studio with firearms, the feds said.
Washington pointed his gun at a person inside the studio and demanded they lay down on the floor, the charges state. Meanwhile, Jordan approached Mizell and pointed his gun at him, eventually firing off two shots, killing the artist almost instantly, according to the U.S. attorney.
According to the charges, Washington and Jordan shot Mizell because the musician had cut both men out of a deal to distribute 10 kilograms of cocaine, which Mizell had allegedly purchased from a drug trafficker from the midwest.
On Monday, Jordan pleaded not guilty to the murder and drug trafficking charges.
If convicted, both Washington and Jordan face a minimum of 20 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment or the death penalty.
