Two charged with killing Jam Master Jay in 2002 cold case

Hollis rap trio Run-DMC posed in New York in 2001. From left, Jam Master Jay (Jason Mizell), DMC (Darryl McDaniels) and DJ Run (Joseph Simmons). Federal prosecutors announced the indictment of suspects charged with killing Mizell in 2002. AP Photo/Jim Cooper.

UPDATE: Aug. 17, 3:36 p.m. — This story has been updated with information about the alleged motive and a quote from the acting U.S. attorney.

By David Brand

Federal prosecutors have charged two men with the murder of Hollis native Jam Master Jay, nearly 18 years after the hip hop legend and former Run D.M.C. member was killed at his Jamaica recording studio.

Jam Master Jay, whose real name is Jason Mizell, was shot in the head inside his Merrick Boulevard studio on Oct. 30, 2002. The case went cold until this month, when federal investigators, working on initial leads, were able to bring charges against two other Hollis residents.

Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr., were indicted on charges of murder while engaged in drug trafficking, federal prosecutors said.  Acting U.S. Attorney Seth DuCharme announced the charges at a press conference Monday.

“The defendants allegedly carried out the cold-blooded murder of Jason Mizell, a brazen act that has finally caught up with them thanks to the dedicated detectives, agents and prosecutors who never gave up on this case,” DuCharme said.

Washington and Jordan allegedly killed Mizell after Mizell cut Washington out of a major cocaine distribution plan in Maryland.

Washington, who is currently incarcerated, was considered a suspect since at least December 2002, the New York Post reported at the time. Jordan was arrested and taken into custody.