In a horrible shooting in 2002, Jam Master Jay lost his life. Shortly after, the Run DMC group name was retired as a final salute and sign of respect by the other members of Run DMC. Now, approximately 24 years after his passing, one of three men accused of the crime has finally taken responsibility.
The man, 52 year old Jay Bryant, has finally pleaded guilty to the murder of Jam Master Jay in Brooklyn Federal Court. As per the United States Attorney Office, “Bryant entered the building containing the recording studio and opened a locked fire escape exit door” to let Karl Jordan, Jr. and Ronald Washington “enter the building” without ever being discovered.
The statement also acknowledged the time that has passed in investigation of the crime, stating that “Jason Mizell was brutally murdered over 20 years ago, but thanks to our investigators, along with our partners at the ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, this case was never forgotten, and those who are responsible are now being held accountable.”
Check out the full statement here. Jay Bryant now faces 15 years in prison for the crime, as well as about 20 more on drug charges that are separate from this.