Third Man Charged In the 2002 Murder Of Jam Master Jay
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn disclosed on Tuesday that a third individual has been charged in connection with the 2002 murder of hip-hop legend Jam Master Jay. The unsealed indictment reveals that Jay Bryant, a 49-year-old with a history of violent criminal activity and prior convictions, was present at the Queens music studio where the fatal shooting took place.
Bryant’s arrest comes as Ronald “Tinard” Washington and Karl Jordan Jr., who were previously charged, await their trial scheduled for January 2024 in Brooklyn Federal Court for their alleged involvement in the murder of Jam Master Jay.
According to court documents, surveillance footage shows Bryant entering Jam Master Jay’s studio on Merrick Blvd. in Jamaica, Queens, on October 30, 2002. DNA evidence linked Bryant to a piece of clothing left at the crime scene.
Although Bryant confessed to the shooting, the filings do not specify to whom he made this admission. Prosecutors, however, do not believe that he was the one who pulled the trigger.
Court documents indicate that federal prosecutors intend to present evidence during the trial that Karl Jordan fired the fatal shots.
The incident occurred at around 7:30 p.m. when the three individuals forcefully entered the studio. Ronald Washington allegedly brandished a firearm, pointed it at someone present, and ordered them to the floor.
According to federal prosecutors, Karl Jordan is alleged to have approached Jam Master Jay, whose real name was Jason Mizell, and discharged two shots at close range. One of the shots hit Mizell in the head, resulting in his fatal injury. The second shot struck Uriel Rincon, another individual present at the scene, in the leg, as stated by the authorities.
According to prosecutors, Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan allegedly sought revenge against Mizell for excluding them from a drug deal. Mizell had obtained approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine from a supplier in the Midwest, intending to distribute the drugs in Maryland. However, he informed Washington that they would not be involved in the deal, leading to resentment.
While Washington and Jordan were arrested in 2020, Washington’s defense attorney claims that he was identified as a suspect by the government as early as 2006.
Jay Bryant, through his lawyer, has stated that he intends to plead not guilty.
Bryant, who has used multiple aliases, has a lengthy criminal history spanning three decades across New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. His previous charges include weapon and drug offenses, armed robbery, and multiple instances of failing to appear in court. Federal prosecutors are requesting that he be held without bail.
Bryant was already in custody on federal drug distribution charges following an indictment in Brooklyn in September.
If your playing catch-up with this whole situation, here is an article on the first two men arrested back in 2020 for the 2002 murder.
