A man has pleaded guilty in federal court Monday for his role in the 2002 shooting death of Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay, finally admitting to a crime that remained unsolved for more than two decades.
Jay Bryant, 52, admitted during his plea hearing that he assisted others in ambushing the DJ, Jason Mizell, at his Queens recording studio.
“I knew a gun was going to be used to shoot Jason Mizell,” Bryant told a federal magistrate. “I knew that what I was doing was wrong and a crime.”
Bryant confessed he facilitated the killing by helping a group gain entry to the building, though he did not name the other individuals involved. The guilty plea adds a new dimension to a case in which one suspect was convicted and another later cleared.
Unlike other suspects, Bryant had minimal personal ties to Mizell. Testimony indicated he shared acquaintances with Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr., both of whom were also charged in the case.
Bryant stated that he was connected to individuals involved in a drug deal with the DJ and that he “helped them kill Jason Mizell by helping them gain entry to the recording studio.”
The evidence against Bryant has been controversial. His DNA was found on a hat left at the scene, which then-prosecutor Artie McConnell suggested might have been touched by Bryant before another suspect accidentally placed it.
Bryant’s uncle claimed his nephew admitted to firing the fatal shots after Mizell reached for a weapon. However, no witnesses placed Bryant inside the studio.
Prosecutors argued that Bryant was recruited to unlock a rear fire door, allowing Washington and Jordan to enter without being detected or alerting the musician.
As the DJ for Run-DMC, Mizell helped the group become the first rap act to achieve gold and platinum albums and earn a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2009. He was also a mentor to artists like 50 Cent.
The motive for the killing reportedly stemmed from a botched cocaine deal. Although Run-DMC was known for its anti-drug stance, prosecutors and trial witnesses alleged that Mizell turned to the drug trade later in life to pay bills and support friends.
They claimed Jordan and Washington became angry after being excluded from a deal. Both men denied the allegations: Jordan’s team provided an alibi, while Washington’s lawyers argued he had no reason to kill a friend who financially supported him.
Bryant, who was already incarcerated on unrelated drug and gun charges, is expected to receive a sentence of between 15 and 20 years.
Before leaving court Monday, Bryant gave a thumbs-up to someone in the audience.
