Defense lawyers in the case against the two men charged with the murder of Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay sought a mistrial on Thursday, claiming that prosecutors had improperly influenced a witness. The witness testified that one of the defendants had confessed to her decades ago, stating that he had killed the renowned DJ and that 'people get what they deserve.'
U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall ultimately denied the mistrial, but not without expressing her displeasure with the prosecutors' line of questioning. While jurors were out of the room, the judge raised her voice and admonished the prosecutors, stating that there was no need for the questions that had been posed to the witness.
The murder of Jam Master Jay, whose real name was Jason Mizell, occurred on the evening of October 30, 2002, inside his recording studio. Ronald Washington, a childhood friend of Mizell's, and Karl Jordan Jr., the DJ's godson, are currently on trial for the murder. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty.
During the trial, Daynia McDonald, Washington's former girlfriend, took the stand and testified that Washington had called her to inform her about Mizell's death. When she asked him how he knew about it, he allegedly responded by saying, 'Because I was there.' In a subsequent conversation, she claimed that she asked Washington if he had been involved in the killing, and he essentially admitted to it.
It was Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Misorek's questions that sparked the ensuing legal controversy. He asked McDonald if Washington had confessed to killing Jam Master Jay and if he had also said that people get what they deserve. McDonald answered affirmatively to both questions.
After the jurors left the room, Judge DeArcy Hall expressed her dissatisfaction with the prosecutors. One of Washington's lawyers, Susan Kellman, requested a mistrial, arguing that the prosecutors had planted a seed of prejudice that could not be undone. The prosecutors contended that they were trying to keep McDonald's answers focused solely on Mizell's murder and prevent her from discussing unrelated topics.
Ultimately, the judge decided to allow the trial to continue, with a caveat: she instructed the jurors to disregard the two controversial questions and their answers. Misorek was then permitted to ask McDonald if Washington had said anything else about the murder. McDonald responded, stating that Washington had admitted to killing Jam Master Jay.
According to prosecutors and an eyewitness, Jordan shot the rap star while Washington stood at the door with a gun. The government alleges that the motive for the attack was an unresolved dispute over a drug deal. Despite Run-DMC's reputation for including anti-drug messages in its songs, prosecutors and another witness have claimed that Mizell had turned to the cocaine trade as the group's success dwindled.
Attorneys for Jordan, who is now 40 years old, have argued that he was at his then-girlfriend's home at the time of the shooting. Washington's lawyers have portrayed the government's case as hastily put together and suggested that their client, who was financially dependent on Jam Master Jay, had no motive to harm him.
During McDonald's cross-examination, Washington's attorney highlighted inconsistencies between her testimony and a statement she had given to the police in 2002. McDonald explained these discrepancies by stating that there was a lot going on at the time and that she was flustered when talking to the police. She maintained that her current testimony was true.
'This has been a very big event in my life,' McDonald asserted.
The trial continues as both defendants face the serious charge of murdering one of the most influential figures in hip-hop history.
