A federal jury has delivered guilty verdicts for Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington in the 2002 murder of hip-hop legend Jam Master Jay, co-founder of Run-DMC, according to NBC News.

The trial, ongoing since January 29, concluded with the jury finding the defendants guilty of Jam Master Jay's murder linked to narcotics trafficking and firearm-related offenses.

Ronald Washington, a childhood friend of Jam Master Jay (Jason Mizell), and Karl Jordan Jr., the rapper's godson, face at least 20 years in prison, with the potential for a maximum sentence of life.

Prosecutors refrained from seeking the death penalty. US Attorney Breon Peace expressed gratitude to the witnesses whose bravery in testifying played a crucial role in bringing justice.

The prosecution highlighted the challenge in indicting and arresting the defendants, as witnesses feared retaliation from the killers.

Washington and Jordan, convicted of murder during narcotics trafficking, also face additional charges.

Jordan was found guilty of eight counts of narcotics distribution.

The sentencing and post-trial motions will be addressed in future proceedings.

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Motive and Circumstances of the Jam Master Jay Murder

Federal prosecutors argued that the murder of Jam Master Jay was motivated by greed and revenge, Daily Beast noted.

The accused men, allegedly excluded from a significant cocaine deal, resorted to violence.

On the evening of October 30, 2002, Washington and Jordan entered Mizell's studio with assistance from a third man, Jay Bryant. After forcing Mizell to the floor, Jordan fatally shot him with a .40-caliber bullet.

The trial featured over three dozen witnesses, and prosecutor Miranda Gonzalez emphasized that the murder had its roots in a drug deal gone awry.

The case shed light on Mizell's involvement in cocaine trafficking in the mid-1990s, coinciding with Run-DMC's declining popularity.

Run-DMC's Impact on Hip-Hop

Run-DMC, comprising Jason "Jam Master Jay" Mizell, Joseph "Rev. Run" Simmons, and Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, is recognized as one of hip-hop's pioneering acts, Billboard reports.

Their 1985 release, "King of Rock," marked hip-hop's first platinum album, while the 1986 cover of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way" reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Jam Master Jay's murder, occurring on October 30, 2002, had remained an unsolved cold case for years, joining the ranks of other high-profile hip-hop mysteries like Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.

The trial revealed that Mizell turned to drug trade as the group's popularity waned, leading to the alleged plot against him by Washington and Jordan.

Witnesses Uriel "Tony" Rincon and Lydia High, present during the murder, testified during the trial, identifying the accused men.

Their delayed cooperation with investigators was attributed to fear of retaliation. Notably, the judge ruled against the use of violent rap lyrics penned by Jordan as evidence, asserting the need to protect artists' creative freedom.

The trial faced interruptions, including a juror's dismissal due to claimed impartiality, leading to deliberations restarting. Jay Bryant, charged with Jam Master Jay's murder in May 2021, awaits a separate trial.

The guilty verdicts mark a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for Jam Master Jay. As legal proceedings unfold, the impact of this case on the relationship between artistic expression and criminal evidence will be closely observed.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Jam Master Jay's longtime friend & godson found GUILTY of all charges in 2002 murder - From NBC New York