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Third man pleads guilty in 2002 murder of Run-DMC's Jam Master Jay in Queens
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Apr 27, 2026
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Al Pereira/Getty Images/Michael Ochs Archives
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Apr 27, 2026
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Another man has pleaded guilty more than two decades after the murder of Jason Mizell, known as Jam Master Jay, the DJ behind the Queens-based hip-hop group Run-DMC, authorities said.
Jay Bryant, 52, pleaded guilty on Monday to his role in the 2002 murder, federal prosecutors said. Prosecutors said that while Run-DMC achieved early commercial success, Mizell had also become involved in cocaine trafficking, according to court documents.
A dispute tied to a Maryland drug deal led two men to enter a recording studio in Jamaica, Queens, where one of them opened fire and fatally shot Mizell.
Prosecutors said Bryant helped the men enter the studio undetected by opening a locked fire escape door.
Bryant, who previously pleaded guilty to separate narcotics trafficking and firearm charges, faces between 15 and 20 years in prison when he is sentenced.
“More than two decades after the cold-blooded, execution-style killing of Mr. Mizell, an exhaustive investigation revealed Bryant’s role and today he finally admitted his guilt,” said Joseph Nocella Jr., the United States attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
Two other men, Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr., were previously convicted in connection with the killing. A federal judge later overturned Jordan’s conviction, citing insufficient evidence, while Washington was denied a motion for acquittal.
An attorney for Bryant did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Tagged
Music
public safety
queens
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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