According to court documents obtained by Rolling Stone, a third suspect has been charged with the 2002 killing of Run-D.M.C. deejay Jam Master Jay.
On Tuesday (5.30,) federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York charged 49-year old Jay Bryant in the death of the hip hop pioneer. The charges against Bryant include murder while engaged in narcotics trafficking and other drug-trafficking counts; he is currently awaiting trial on a separate drug-related indictment, prosecutors stated in a court filing.
In 2020, two other men, Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr., were charged for the death of Jay (born Jason Mizell,) who was 37-years of age when he was fatally shot in October at his recording studio in Queens, New York.
Bryant’s lawyer César de Castro, whose arraignment had not been scheduled, told the New York Times that his client would plead not guilty, stating “Securing an indictment in a secret grand jury, applying an extremely low burden of proof, is one thing.” “Proving it at trial is another matter.”
In a letter filed with the court on Tuesday, prosecutors said the three men entered the studio on Merrick Boulevard in Queens, and fled after the shooting. Bryant left behind an article of clothing at the crime scene, which contained his DNA, stated the filing. Although prosecutors said he later claimed to “one associate that he was in fact the shooter,” they believe Jordan fired the fatal shot.
Run-D.M.C. was founded in 1983 by high school friends Joseph “Run” Simmons and McDaniels in Hollis, Queens. Jay, was an old basketball friend of Simmons’ and, at the age of 18, was already an established local DJ.
“He was a tough guy but a lovable guy,” said Chuck D. “He’d greet you with a smile.”
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Author: AL Denté
Photo: Youngking11