Accomplice pleads guilty in Jam Master Jay murder case after 20 years
Jay Bryant, 52, pleaded guilty on Monday to helping others ambush and kill Run-DMC's Jam Master Jay (Jason Mizell) in 2002. Bryant admitted to opening a back fire door to let Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington into the Queens recording studio, knowing a gun would be used. His DNA was found on a hat at the scene. Bryant originally pleaded not guilty in 2023. Jordan and Washington were convicted in 2024, but Jordan's conviction was later overturned for insufficient motive evidence; Washington has also challenged his conviction. Prosecutors said the killing was revenge for being cut out of a $200,000 drug deal. Bryant faces 15–20 years for murder and unrelated charges. The case went unsolved for two decades until federal charges were filed. Run-DMC disbanded after Mizell's death.
Key facts
- Jay Bryant pleaded guilty to murder charge on Monday.
- Bryant helped Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington enter the studio.
- Bryant's DNA was found on a hat at the crime scene.
- Jordan and Washington were convicted in 2024.
- Jordan's conviction was overturned; Washington challenged his.
- Motivation was revenge over a $200,000 drug deal.
- Bryant faces 15–20 years in prison.
- The shooting occurred in 2002 in Queens, New York.
Entities
Artists
- Jason 'Jam Master Jay' Mizell
- Joseph 'Run' Simmons
- Darryl 'DMC' McDaniel
Institutions
- Run-DMC
- BBC
- CBS News
Locations
- Queens
- New York
- United States