Run-DMC founder, Jam Master Jay, whose real name was Jason Mizell, the influential figure in hip-hop, fell victim to a ruthless ambush driven by "greed and revenge" over drugs, according to federal prosecutors, per the NY Post.

The trial of the alleged assassins, Ronald Washington, 59, and Karl Jordan Jr., 39, commenced on Monday.

Accused of Jam Master Jay murder at his Queens music studio in 2002, the prosecutors characterized the crime as brutal during opening arguments in Brooklyn federal court.

Washington and Jordan, arrested in 2020, are facing charges linked to a long-unsolved Jam Master Jay death believed to be retribution for a failed cocaine deal.

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Jam Master Jay and the Decline of Run-DMC.

Assistant US Attorney Miranda Gonzalez painted a picture of Jam Master Jay's humility, emphasizing his generosity even as Run-DMC rose to fame.

Mizell, known for helping those in need, allowed people to stay at his family home or studio during difficult times.

However, financial challenges arose in the mid-'90s as Run-DMC's earnings declined, Vulture reports.

To supplement his income, Mizell acted as a middleman for cocaine distributors and dealers.

A pivotal moment occurred in August 2002 when Mizell and Washington went to Baltimore for a deal.

The disagreement with the distributor escalated, leading Mizell to send Washington away empty-handed, leaving Jordan excluded from the potential profits.

On October 30 of that year, tensions erupted into violence. Mizell, in his Queens studio, appeared different in the days leading up to his murder, according to Gonzalez.

Jordan, accompanied by Washington, entered the studio at 7:30 PM.

Jordan, with a 40-caliber gun, fatally shot Mizell in the head, burning hair and skin.

The incident also resulted in injuries to others in the studio.

Defense Claims and Legal Proceedings

Lawyers defending Washington and Jordan vehemently denied their involvement in Jam Master Jay murder, according to Reuters.

John Diaz, representing Jordan, highlighted the reliance on aging memories of witnesses cooperating with investigators.

Ezra Spilke, representing Washington, pointed to his client's struggles with alcoholism, questioning the motive to harm someone providing stability.

The defendants, if convicted, face a maximum sentence of life in prison with a mandatory minimum of at least 20 years.

According to prosecutors, Mizell's recording studio in Hollis, the Queens neighborhood where all parties grew up, was a neighborhood hangout.

Mizell's manager, Lydia High, and friend Tony Rincon, along with three others working in the recording suite, were present during the murder.

Rincon and High are expected to testify, explaining the delayed identification of the killers.

Diaz, representing Washington, contested the prosecution's case, claiming investigators had built a flimsy case and landed on the wrong individuals.

On the other hand, Jay Bryant was indicted in Mizell's killing on May 30, 2023.

Bryant claimed to be the Jam Master Jay's shooter, but federal authorities dispute this.

Insisting that evidence does not support Bryant's claim, prosecutors assert that Jordan was the one who shot the Run-DMC founder.

Bryant will be tried separately from Washington and Jordan, with his trial expected in 2026.

All three men maintain their innocence.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: What took place during day one of Jam Master Jay trial - From Eyewitness News ABC7NY