Two men were found guilty yesterday for the 2002 murder of Run DMC member Jam Master Jay. Karl Jordan, 40, and Ronald Washington, 59, (Jay's childhood friend and godson, respectively) are now each facing a sentence of 20 years to life in prison.
Drama erupted in the courtroom as the verdict was read, with Washington exclaiming: “Y’all just killed some innocent people. Get me outta here” as he got up out of his chair. Their supporters erupted in shouts as the men were escorted out. Carlis Thompson, Jay’s cousin, said the conviction was “definitely a long time coming” and he's “glad that justice was served.”
Jam Master Jay was shot at a recording studio in New York City on October 30, 2002 in a case that remained unresolved until 2020, when the US attorney for the Eastern District of New York unsealed a criminal indictment alleging Washington and Jordan killed their friend over a drug dispute.