Jam Master Jay, whose real name is Jason Mizell, was a well-known member of the popular hip-hop music group Run-DMC. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, the group became famous and eventually dominated the genre.

On October 30th of 2002, Jam Master Jay was in his recording studio in Queens doing some work when he was fatally shot. According to some reports, investigators suspect that Mizell was caught up in a dispute over a narcotics deal gone bad. This story, however, is highly debated, and many argue that the potential dispute wasn’t over drugs at all. Regardless, the tragic and shocking crime went unsolved for about 20 years.

In 2020, headlines were made when two suspects, Karl Jordan, Jr. and Ronald Washington were both arrested for the popular artist’s murder.

Now, nearly three years later, a third person, Jay Bryant, has been apprehended for their role in the slaying. According to court filings, witnesses saw Bryant enter into the recording studio right before the murder occurred.

What’s more, investigators discovered clothing at the crime scene, which contained DNA belonging to Bryant. Most importantly, Bryant reportedly confessed to participating in the murder and claimed to be the actual shooter’s associate.

As you’d expect, this recent arrest and the new revelations have resulted in the delay of the current trial of Jordan and Washington. Bryant is currently being considered a flight risk because he has previously absconded from release on bail before. If convicted, each defendant in this murder case could face a minimum of 20 years in prison and a maximum term of either the death penalty or life in prison.

How to Defend Yourself Against Murder Charges

Murder is understandably the most serious crime you can get charged with, so it makes sense that it also comes with the heftiest penalties. Despite that, every person accused of murder has the right to seek out legal representation. A lawyer can help you better understand the charges against you and the potential defense strategies you can use to fight your charges in court.

While you might think that you have no choice but to submit to your charges, that’s rarely the case. Even if you did commit the alleged crime, there are often several ways to defend yourself that can help you have your penalties reduced or your sentence lightened. For instance, rather than pleading guilty to murder, an accused person could attempt to work with their lawyer to submit to a plea deal that has you pleading guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a lighter sentence.

You can also defend yourself against murder charges by arguing that you acted in self-defense, the killing was accidental, or the allegations against you are a case of false identification.

If you’ve recently been accused of murder or another type of violent crime in Brooklyn or a surrounding area, then it makes the most sense to talk to a lawyer as soon as you can. Schedule a consultation with our office now to learn more about how we can help you defend yourself.