Plea talks are underway for the third and final man charged in the 2002 killing of Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay. Prosecutors and defense lawyers have recently begun exploring the possibility of a plea deal, less than six weeks after two co-defendants were convicted.
The discussions have just commenced, and it remains uncertain what federal prosecutors might offer Jay Bryant or what he might be willing to accept. Both sides are expected to file a written status update on August 5, and for now, Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall has scheduled Bryant’s trial for late January next year.
Bryant, aged 50, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Jam Master Jay, born Jason Mizell. As a DJ in Run-DMC, Mizell played a pivotal role in helping rap music break through to a mainstream audience in the 1980s with hits like ‘It’s Tricky’ and a genre-crossing version of Aerosmith’s ‘Walk This Way.’
Mizell was fatally shot in his Queens, New York, recording studio on October 30, 2002, in front of witnesses who worked for him. It took decades for investigators to gather the information that led to the arrests of Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington in 2020, and Bryant in 2023.
Washington and Jordan, who were convicted in February, had initially pleaded not guilty, and their lawyers had questioned the credibility of key witnesses. Despite being close to Mizell, the two were found guilty of killing the DJ due to a dispute over a drug deal, which conflicted with Mizell’s image as a member of a rap group known for its anti-drug advocacy.
In contrast, Bryant had little to no connection to the rap star. He was acquainted with someone who knew Jordan and Washington, according to authorities.
