Man pleads guilty to role in 2002 murder of Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay

Nearly a quarter century after rap star Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC was shot to death, a man admitted in court Monday to a role in a killing that stymied investigators for decades. Jay Bryant pleaded guilty to a federal murder charge, telling a judge that he helped other people get into a recording studio to ambush the DJ, born Jason Mizell. “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’s admission brings some closure – but also adds complexity – to a twisty case. Bryant didn’t name the other people with whom he acted. But a jury in 2024 convicted two other men, Karl Jordan Jr and Ronald Washington, yet a judge subsequently cleared Jordan. Washington has also challenged his conviction. His lawyer, Susan Kellman, noted Monday that evidence against Bryant included his DNA on a hat at the crime scene and witness testimony that Bryant once claimed he fired the gun himself. Jordan’s lawyers declined to comment. Bryant, 52, is expected to face a sentence somewhere between 15 and 20 years in prison for killing, plus unrelated drug and gun charges to which he pleaded guilty earlier. No sentencing date has been set. He gave a thumbs up to someone in the audience before leaving court. The person declined to comment afterward, as did Bryant’s attorneys. Prosecutors had no immediate comment. …