Dec 24, 2025
3 min read
A judge on Friday overturned one of two men's convictions in the 2002 killing of Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay, ruling that there was insufficient evidence that the man had a motive to kill the hip-hop artist.
A judge on Friday vacated the conviction of one of two men convicted of killing Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay in 2002, ruling that there was not enough evidence to suggest the man had a motive to kill the hip-hop star.
The reversal that occurred when a judge convicted another man marked another surprising and confusing turn in one of hip-hop's most elusive cases.It haunted investigators for nearly two decades before two arrests in 2020, and officials welcomed the 2024 convictions as one of rap's pioneers finally went to trial.
Jam master Jay, born Jason Mizell, worked Run-DMC's turntables when the group helped hip-hop gain mainstream popularity in the 1980s with hits like "It's Tricky" and a new version of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way."His death followed the fatal shootings of Tupac Shakur in 1996 and Notorious B.I.G.in 1997, creating a flurry of tragic violence that claimed the lives of some of rap's greatest talents at the turn of the millennium.Mizell was 37 years old.
Nearly two years after the jury's verdict in his death, the decision was handed down by the same Brooklyn federal judge who presided over the trial. In Friday's ruling, U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall acquitted Carl Jordan Jr. of murder charges, a claim he rejected when his lawyers took the stand at trial.
An eyewitness testified that he saw Jordan shoot a DJ — his personal godfather — at his Queens recording studio on October 30, 2002.A former tenant in Jordan's home also testified that he heard Jordan confess to the murder.But in the more than 18 months since the verdict was handed down, Jordan's lawyers have argued that the evidence doesn't support prosecutors' claims about his alleged motive: revenge for a failed drug deal.
"We are truly glad that justice has been served for Mr. Jordan and his family," John Diaz, one of his attorneys, said in an email. Jordan has not been convicted of the murders, but remains in custody awaiting trial on drug charges, years after the murders.
Prosecutors said they are reviewing the decision.
On the other hand, the judge rejected the attempt to free the accused Ronald Washington or to hold a new trial.One of his lawyers, Susan Kelman, said he could appeal further.
Washington and Jordan were tried together, and witnesses testified that during the shooting, Washington closed the door and ordered one of DJ's assistants to the floor.
But the judge concluded that the evidence of a drug-cattle motive was stronger against Washington than against Jordan.There was testimony that bad blood between Washington and a Baltimore-based drug dealer torpedoed a potential six-figure cocaine deal involving Jordan, Washington and Mizell.
"The jury was able to reasonably conclude that Washington was excluded from potentially profitable business with Baltimore and was seeking retaliation against Mizell for excluding him," the judge wrote in documents released Friday.But he asked: "What evidence, then, would allow a jury to reasonably conclude that Jordan was seeking revenge against Mizell for the failure of the Baltimore deal? No."
Run-DMC, the first rap group to earn gold and platinum albums and a video in rotation on MTV, is speaking out against drugs in lyrics that are the mouthpiece of public service, according to prosecutors and court testimony.
Washington and Jordan did not testify, and their defense relied largely on questioning the credibility of prosecution witnesses and their memories of the shootings years ago.Washington's lawyers also questioned why he would be justified in killing an old friend who had helped him financially.Missel's sister also gave Washington the benefit of sitting in his seat.
Jordan's attorneys also urged jurors to consider Jay Bryant, the third person indicted after Jordan and Washington in the 2023 killing of Mizell.Prosecutors said Bryant's DNA was found on a hat at the scene, and Bryant's uncle said his nephew told him he shot Mizell.
Bryant has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
