Trial unveils shocking details of execution as Godson faces charges in the murder of Hip-Hop icon Jam Master Jay.

More than two decades after the tragic killing of Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay, real name Jason Mizell, shocking revelations emerge during the trial of his godson Karl Jordan Jr, 40, and his associate Ronald Washington, 59. The legendary DJ was fatally shot in his recording studio in Queens, New York, in October 2002.

Prosecutors disclosed on Monday that the alleged motive behind the “execution” was rooted in revenge after Jordan and Washington were reportedly excluded from a drug deal valued at nearly $200,000. Despite the trio publicly advocating against drug culture, it is claimed that Jam Master Jay engaged in cocaine deals as a middleman to sustain his lifestyle as his music career waned.

Jordan, who was 18 at the time of the incident, is accused of fatally shooting Jay in the head with a handgun. The trial unfolds with both defendants denying the charges of murder.

Run-DMC, comprising Jam Master Jay, Joseph Simmons (Run), and Darryl McDaniels (DMC), achieved superstardom in the ’80s with hits like “It’s Tricky,” “It’s Like That,” and the iconic collaboration with Aerosmith, “Walk This Way.”

The court also heard that Washington, a friend staying with Jay’s sister, relied on the DJ for support due to his struggles with alcoholism. Defense attorneys argue that the narrative has evolved over time, suggesting some prosecution witnesses cooperated with investigators for leniency in their own criminal cases.

John Diaz, defending Jordan, stressed the changing narrative and potential bias in witness statements. Meanwhile, Ezra Spilke, defending Washington, emphasized the absence of forensic evidence linking him to the murder. Spilke urged the jury to consider the potential consequences of convicting the wrong person.

The trial, expected to last four weeks, has gripped the public with its shocking revelations surrounding the untimely death of the hip-hop icon. Jay Bryant, accused of facilitating the murder by allowing the defendants access through a locked back fire exit, faces a separate trial in 2026.