Two men were indicted for the 2002 murder of Jam Master Jay on Monday (August 17) and now, more details surrounding the case are coming to light. According to the indictment unsealed in the Eastern District of New York, Karl Jordan, Jr., Ronald Washington and the Run-DMC legend were engaged in cocaine trafficking.
JMJ was killed after a deal reportedly worth $1.7 million went south. ACB7 News reports the late Hip Hop pioneer was planning to exclude Washington from the large multi-state drug deal, so Washington and Jordan conspired to carry out the murder. Jam Master Jay was ultimately shot and killed inside his Jamaica, Queens recording studio on October 30, 2002.
While inside, Washington allegedly pointed his firearm at another person inside 24/7 Studio and ordered them to lay on the floor. Jordan then allegedly approached JMJ, aimed his weapon at him and fired two shots at close range, striking him once in the head. The second shot hit another person in the leg.
The investigation uncovered the motive for JMJ’s murder was his acquisition of roughly 10 kilograms of cocaine from a Midwest narcotics supplier. The cocaine was allegedly intended to be distributed in Maryland by Washington, Jordan and other co-conspirators. But Jam Master Jay reportedly informed Washington he wouldn’t be involved in the Maryland deal, which precipitated the murder conspiracy.
The ATF New York Field Division said they always knew the case was solvable.
“Working tirelessly alongside the NYPD Cold Case Squad, we were determined to bring justice for the Mizell family and see these killers held accountable,” ATF Acting Special Agent-in-Charge McCormick said. “For nearly eighteen years, one of these alleged perpetrators walked freely, thinking he’d gotten away with murder. But today, thanks to the unwavering efforts of the investigators and prosecutors, two individuals will answer for their crimes.”
Grand Jury Officially Indicts 2 Men For Jam Master Jay's Murder
The 36-year-old Jordan was arrested on Sunday (August 16), while the 56-year-old Washington was already in prison on robbery charges.
Jordan was arraigned Monday and pleaded not guilty. He’ll remain behind bars until the trial on charges of murder, one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and seven counts of cocaine distribution. Federal prosecutors said the case carries the possibility of the death penalty. Both men are expected back in court on September 17.
Jam Master Jay’s murder has captivated the Hip Hop community for the past 18 years. In 2018, Netflix released a documentary called ReMastered: Who Killed Jam Master Jay?, which featured several interviews with his friends, family members and acquaintances who shared stories they’d heard regarding suspects in his murder. Both Jordan and Washington had long been suspected of being involved.
Jordan’s Instagram page is littered with tributes to the slain DJ, making his involvement even stranger.
The Plot Thickens….
Is this Karl Jordan somehow related to E. Bernard Jordan (the religious mentor of rev run)?
10 kilograms of cocaine?… ok then
Great for justice but JMJ legacy is tarnished through the accusation that he was involved in drug dealing. Basically he could have been alive today if it wasn’t for drugs.
Everybodys life is diff. U cant choose the environment around u growing up. New york in the 80s isnt where u live or what u understand or kno. Drugs are everywhere, worse in “tougher hoods”. Life is wut it is
Long before Run DMC was popping, Jay was connected to the streets but still…you’re “Jam Master Jay” when this happened. In that world, people get killed for less, I wish this brother would’ve stayed far away from any of that shit smh…
a bit of a coke nose. or was he going to sell them on to someone else. it was about the money.
I hope this isn’t true..because it hurts the culture deeply. Hip Hop and the Streets don’t mix. The Streets don’t care.
Once you get out…stay out. This is then only form of entertainment that legends get killed before the can become husbands, grandfathers and community leaders.
And we do it too ourselves. Not the Klan, not the President…us.
Hip-Hop is FROM the streets. And the streets are just unforgiving which is why when many get away from that lifestyle and have the means to stay away, they resort back and this is the result. May he rest in peace. I just wish he had taken that money, and done something more besides what he was murdered over.
Preach it sir
kilo of cocaine is 175k now?
Damn where do you live Russia? I have them here in Colombia for $10,000. Hit me up…. 😉
Yeah right!!! Nobody would buy it you fool
the probably broke it down to street dealer value to make it seem more than what it was…
They had yall believing Jam Master Jay was some great guy all this time. Turns out dude was a drug dealer. Im not surprised. Yall probably idolize him even more now cause you’re idiots.
Shut the Fuck up!!! People idolize who they want, who are you to dictate who people fuck with? What he did for rap is legendary and the reason your bum ass can come to this site and be a keyboard gangster. No doubt you idolize people who you think wouldn’t commit a crime…until they get caught, stupid!
You ctfu he was a drug dealer posting black people and black communities
Naw, you shut the fuck up bitch. Just because you danced to his little music doesn’t mean he’s a hero. Your just a dumb bitch that worships celebrities. Like a teenage white girl. All drug dealers need a bullet.
Unless it’s weed.
if you think no one else in the rap game is involved in drugs you are a fool
You’re just another pissed off white BLM hater who’s just looking for ways to disparage black folk. Find something better to do.
so first of all. 10 kilos wholesale is roughly 22,000 a kilo. so that’s a bit over 200,000 give or take. I hate how the cops do their math to make it sound more grandiose. they price it as if he bot ten kilos in grams. lol. if he was buying wholesale (which would have been the case), that’s a major discrepancy. js.
according to their math its almost 200k per key! Foh……
Also, I could’ve sworn we heard a long time ago this was about coke, this news isn’t new
22 wholesale, maybe they’re talking about value obesity distributed? Idk tho, just a thought.
Now y’all know the cops always use that “tissue” math- shit never comes out right lol
this dude cokes…
my ni66a
Allegedly was involved in a deal. Nothing say he made the deal, let’s not destroy his name for some alleged actions.
MOST HEADS KNEW JAY WAS KNEE DEEP IN THE STREETS. IF YOU STARTED LISTENING TO RAP AFTER THA CARTER 3, THEN I UNDERSTAND WHY YOU ARE PROBABLY SURPRISED.
I remember hearing about this murder on MTV when I was 12, I think it was Halloween. I’m 30 now. Let’s hope justice is ultimately served.
Unfortunately jay was the street one out of run DMC. So I can’t say I’m shocked . It’s just sad that with all the success that run DMC had he still felt the need to do street sh**.
Facts! Smh
Word up!
Cows make milk.
Uhhhhh….
When was 10 kilos EVER worth $1.7M??
Someone was paying $170k a Kilo?? Lol
When polics say 1.7 mil they mean it would have netted them that in profit etc
if it’s turned into crack it’s worth more
Yes Sir. Cut and rocked up. Lol
10kilos included the weight of the boxes/bags probley just like when they pop ya for growing bud they weight it all with the stock and soil… grimeyy
The Street Value.
Street value buddy…
Makes me wonder if young 50 Cent was moving weight for one of his first mentors.
Like People just need to set down think Gradually getting involved into business been drug dealers not acceptable at all that’s a lot Crappy work fools..
There are some ghetto secrets I can’t rhyme in songs – Nas
18 years is ridiculous though now solve Biggie murder. Pac is in Cuba so don’t worry about that one
PAC gone fam
Pretty sure Pac and Biggie are in the same place. And it ain’t Cuba.
So i guess it wasn’t a hate crime committed by MAGA hat wearing white supremacists this time either? God damn it!!! How can we pin this on whitey this time? I mean yes they were all victims of systemic oppression but can we really say that about JMJ obviously he had money and all that?
Why so bitter, witey? You didn’t lose anything from this story
Bunch of lies. Everybody from Queens knew Jay was rolling in money, he didn’t need a drug deal. Also, Russell Simmons would not have allowed it. They were clean, unlike shady azz 50 Cent. I think 50 wanted out of his contract, to roll with Dre, and that was his only way out.
Don’t spread bullshit 50 paid his way out of his contract with Jay already.
Okay. We’ll ignore the information in the documentary that showed his official tax records showing he was in debt, his friends and business associates confirming he was in debt, the investigators who have been on this for years and who are presenting the facts at court. We’ll let you give us the REAL facts of this case, random Sherlock Holmes guy!??
hello every one gat some top shelf pills
Word?
Where the hell is 10 ?? worth 1.7 million
Right! That ish must have Diamond flakes in it
$1,700,000 ?????