Trial Opens for Murder of , Jam Master Jay , After Over Twenty Years.<br />On January 29, opening statements were scheduled <br />for a trial involving two men accused of murdering <br />Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay in 2002.<br />The trial comes over 20 years after the DJ <br />was shot in his New York City recording studio. .<br />Both Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington, <br />who prosecutors claim shot and killed Jay in <br />a botched drug deal, have pleaded not guilty.<br />The death of Jay, birth name Jason Mizell, <br />went unsolved until the two men <br />were arrested in 2020. .<br />Despite Run-DMC's anti-drug stance expressed in their <br />lyrics and PSAs, prosecutors allege that Jay had been <br />involved with cocaine trafficking since the mid-1990s.<br />Despite Run-DMC's anti-drug stance expressed in their <br />lyrics and PSAs, prosecutors allege that Jay had been <br />involved with cocaine trafficking since the mid-1990s.<br />Prosecutors claim that Jay had acquired 22 pounds <br />of cocaine, which was intended to be distributed <br />in Maryland by Washington, Jordan and others.<br />Following a dispute, prosecutors say that Jay <br />cut Washington out of the scheme, prompting <br />an armed confrontation on October 30, 2002.<br />Fox News reports that witnesses to the crime <br />had remained tight-lipped despite over <br />$60,000 in rewards offered for information, <br />frustrating efforts to solve the case.<br />Fox News reports that witnesses to the crime <br />had remained tight-lipped despite over <br />$60,000 in rewards offered for information, <br />frustrating efforts to solve the case.<br />According to prosecutors, <br />witnesses have now come forth after twenty years to identify both Washington and Jordan <br />as the assailants. .<br />Both men reportedly face a minimum <br />of 20 years in prison if found guilty.<br />Last year, a third man was charged <br />in connection with the shooting and <br />will be tried in a separate trial
