A 2003 ‘Playboy’ Article is at The Center of Jam Master Jay’s Murder Trial
Karl Jordan Jr. was one of two men indicted on murder charges for the killing of Jam Master Jay in 2002.
The man accused of murdering Jam Master Jay is demanding the dismissal of his charges or a new trial split from his co-defendant due to a 2003 Playboy article about the Run DMC DJ.
According to Rolling Stone, a motion filed this week by the attornies of Karl Jordan Jr., who was one of two men indicted on murder charges for Jay’s slaying in 2020, claims the federal prosecutors took too long to bring charges for the 2002 killing and that if charges aren’t dropped, Jordan Jr.’s case requires a solo trial separate from co-defendant, Ronald Washington, citing the 2003 article, The Last Days of Jam Master Jay, in which Washington places both Jordan Jr. and his father (referred to as “Little D” and “Big D” in the piece,) at the scene of the shooting at Jay’s studio, where the DJ was shot execution-style during a cocaine deal gone tragically south. “I’m positive it was Little D. I looked him right in his face before he ran off,” Washington claims in an interview conducted while he was imprisoned for robbery.
“It is anticipated that the government will seek to use Washington’s statements to prove its case against both men. There is no question that the statement by Washington accusing Mr. Jordan of being present at the scene of the murder incriminates Mr. Jordan, the non-declarant, which necessitates severance,” Jordan Jr.’s lawyers write in the filing. They go on to claim Washington’s statement is “testimonial in nature,” and as their client’s co-defendant, they would be prevented from cross-examining Washington about the statement.
Washington’s lawyers echo Jordan Jr.’s sentiments, stating, in their own filing, that Feds waited too long to draw up charges and at this point, Washington’s ability to draw on relevant evidence to defend himself against the accusations had suffered from “prejudicial impact.”
“The government has known about the crime since 2002 and has been convinced that Mr. Washington committed the murder since at least 2006. This uniquely long pre-indictment delay violates fundamental conceptions of justice and due process,” said Washington’s attorney, Susan G. Kellman, wrote in a separate motion filed on Sunday.