One of the alleged killers of Run-DMC DJ Jam Master Jay had his murder conviction overturned by a federal judge in Brooklyn on Friday, Dec. 19.
Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall ruled that the case against Karl Jordan, Jr. was “impermissibly speculative,” vacating the jury’s verdict after he was found guilty on two federal counts of murdering the hip-hop icon more than two decades ago.
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During the trial, prosecutor’s alleged that Jordan shot Jam Master Jay, born Jason Mizell, as revenge for a cocaine deal gone bad, but Judge DeArcy Hall ruled that there was “simply no evidence” for the alleged motive.
“After a review of the trial record, the court finds that the government’s theories of Jordan’s drug-related motive to kill Mizell or drug-offense related motive to use a firearm are impermissibly speculative and just conjecture,” DeArcy Hall wrote, per Billboard. “Jordan has met the heavy burden to be granted a judgement of acquittal.”
Jordan’s attorney, Michael Hueston said, “On behalf of Mr. Jordan and his family, today’s decision brings a measure of solace as they approach the holiday season,” in a statement shared by Billboard.
However, Ronald Washington, who was also convicted of the killing in 2024, received no such acquittal, with Judge Hall saying that his guilty verdict will stand, since evidence presented by prosecutors supported the decision.
“A reasonable jury could conclude Washington sought to murder Mizell in reprisal for Mizell’s failure to ensure Washington’s promised involvement in the Baltimore deal, as well as to send a message to other co-conspirators,” the judge wrote.
Run-DMC, which also featured rappers Joseph “Run” Simmons and Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, is one of the most influential hip-hop acts of all time. The Hollis, Queens trio became only the second hip-hop act inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. The trio’s hits include the 1986 collaborative remake of Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way,” which wrote the blueprint for the popular rock-rap hybrid later explored by dozens of other acts, including the Beastie Boys, Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit and others.
Mizell was fatally shot on Oct. 30, 2002, in his New York City recording studio. He was 37 years old.
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