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FILE – Jam Master Jay, aka Jason Mizell, a member of hip hop pioneers Run-DMC, is seen in Los Angeles in this February 25, 2002 file photo. Two suspects have been charged with the murder of Jam Master Jay, who until ‘Now was one of New York City’s most notorious unsolved murders, two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press on Monday, August 17, 2020 (AP Photo / Krista Niles, File)
FILE – Jam Master Jay aka Jason Mizell, a member of hip hop pioneers Run-DMC, is seen in Los Angeles in this February 25, 2002 file photo. Two suspects have been charged with the murder of Jam Master Jay, who until ‘Now was one of New York City’s most notorious unsolved murders, two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press on Monday, August 17, 2020 (AP Photo / Krista Niles, File)
NEW YORK (AP) – Two men have been charged with the 2002 murder of hip-hop artist Jam Master Jay, which so far has been one of New York’s most notorious unsolved murders, have said Monday three law enforcement officials at the Associated Press.
The officials were not allowed to speak publicly and did so on condition of anonymity. One of them identified the suspects as Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan. Federal prosecutors were due to announce the charges at a press conference Monday afternoon.
Washington, who reportedly lived on a couch at Jay’s home in the days leading up to his death, was publicly named as a suspect or possible witness as early as 2007. He is currently serving a federal prison sentence following a series of thefts. committed while on the run from police after Jay’s death.
In court documents filed at the time, prosecutors alleged that Washington waved a handgun and ordered people at Jay’s Queens recording studio to lie on the ground while another man killed him on the 30th. October 2002.
Washington “provided cover for his partner to shoot and kill Jason Mizell,” prosecutors wrote.
Jason “Jay” Mizell, known professionally as Jam Master Jay, was a member of the 1980s hip-hop sensation Run-DMC along with Joseph “Run” Simmons and Darryl “DMC” McDaniel. Among their hits were “It’s Tricky”, “Christmas in Hollis” and the Aerosmith remake collaboration “Walk This Way”.
Jay was shot in the head with a .40 caliber bullet by a masked assailant at his studio in Hollis, the district of Queens where he grew up, police said at the time. He left behind a wife and three children.
Police have identified at least four people in the studio with Jay, including the two gunmen with guns. City and Jay’s friends offered more than $ 60,000 as a reward, but witnesses refused to appear and the case languished.
Jay’s acquaintance with Washington shocked his family. Before sleeping on Jay’s couch, Washington was linked to the fatal shooting of Randy Walker in 1995, a close associate of the late Tupac Shakur.
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Balsamo reported from Washington, DC
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