Who Killed Jam Master Jay? Two Men Charged Over 2 Decades After the Killing

Over two decades after Jam Master Jay's murder, a court found two men of guilty of shooting and killing the late Run-D.M.C. member.

A federal jury in Brooklyn wrapped up its three-week trial with a verdict regarding Jam Master Jay's killers.

Who Killed Jam Master Jay?

Multiple media outlets confirmed the court's verdict on Tuesday, February 27, with Karl Jordan, Jr. and Ronald Washington both being found guilty of Jam Master Jay's murder.

The Guardian quoted Uriel "Tony" Rincon's statement when he pointed to Jordan Jr., the rapper's godson: "He kind of walked directly to Jay and gave, like, half a handshake, with an arm. And at the same time, that's when I hear a couple of shots. And then I see Jay just fall."

Washington, the late DJ's childhood friend, was accused of being an accomplice. They both pleaded not guilty to murder during the trial, but around 30 witnesses testified against the duo and claimed they killed Jam Master Jay after the musician cut them from a drug deal.

The federal jury might charge them with life sentences as prosecutors did not seek the death penalty, RadarOnline.com reported.

Prior to the Tuesday verdict, Assistant U.S. Attorney Artie McConnell said during the closing arguments that the case was not complicated since it was clearly about greed, jealousy and money.

According to CNN, a fight nearly broke inside the courtroom following the verdict's announcement as the duo continued pleading their innocence.

"Y'all just killed some innocent people. Get me outta here," said Washington, while Jordan told their supporters, "I love y'all."

Jam Master Jay's Murder Explored

On October 30, 2002, Jam Master Jay was at a recording studio in Jamaica, Queens, when he was shot and killed. His death led his group to split.

The case remained unsolved for two decades until the US attorney for the Eastern District of New York finally unsealed a criminal indictment in August 2020. It alleged Jam Master Jay was involved in transporting cocaine between 1996 and 2002, and Washington and Jordan Jr. were among the distributors.

Due to a dispute, the late rapper told Washington he would be out of the transaction, leading the suspects to allegedly conspire to kill him.