A friend who witnessed famed Run-DMC member Jam Master Jay gunned down in his Queens recording studio pointed out the accused killer in court Wednesday as he described the long-unsolved crime.
Uriel “Tony” Rincon kept quiet for more than two decades – until he took the stand in Brooklyn federal court, telling jurors Jay, whose real name was Jason Mizell, was shot to death by his godson, Karl Jordan Jr. on Oct. 30 , 2002.
“I heard several shots,” Rincon said. “I saw Jay fall because he had his back to me at the time. As Jay fell, I saw Jordan brush him off.”
Jordan, 39, and Ronald Washington, 59, were each charged with murder while involved in a narcotics trafficking conspiracy.
Rincon told Assistant US Attorney Mark Misorek that he and Mizell, who had a .380-caliber handgun resting on the armrest of a sofa, were playing the football video game “Madden” at Studio 24/7 DJ on Merrick Boulevard when the couple arrived.
A friend shows accused killer Jam Master Jay in court on Wednesday. AP
Jordan, whose nickname is “Little D,” walked through the door directly toward Mizell and offered “half a handshake” before shots rang out, causing the musician to suffer a fatal head injury, Rincon said.
“[Mizell] basically fell on him and Little D had to pull him off himself,” Rincon testified, adding that he suffered a gunshot wound to his left leg during the fight.
Rincon, who works with Mizell at his studio, testified that he recognized Jordan, who is Mizell’s godson, by his profile and neck tattoo the night of the shooting.
Jam Master Jay, DMC and DJ Run in 2001. AP
Jordan and Washington, who guarded the door and held a hysterical Lydia Hyde — Mizell’s “right hand” and friend, who is also expected to testify — at the door before exiting, Rincon said on the stand.
Prosecutors allege that Porter and Washington’s ambush of Mizell was motivated by “greed and revenge” after the pair were busted from a drug deal in Baltimore.
Rincon said he feared for his and his mother’s safety afterward, explaining why he repeatedly told law enforcement he didn’t know who shot the famous musician.
He finally admitted on May 2, 2017 that Jordan was the alleged killer — saying that the Mizell family deserved to know the truth.
Jam Master Jay’s friend has remained silent for more than two decades after the murder.
“I felt that [Mizell’s] wives and children need closure and they need to know what happened,” he testified.
Jordan’s attorney, Mark DeMarco, tried to press Rincon on why he continued to lie to police and federal authorities for years, including telling police at the hospital the night of the killing that he did not know the shooter.
Rincon has described the shooter differently at least twice to law enforcement, according to DeMarco.
“I was scared and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” explained Rincon.
Witnesses said Jay, left, was shot dead by his godson. AP
Rincon also revealed that Jordan allegedly approached her and her mother at Mizell’s funeral at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale and played dumb about the murder.
“[He] asked me who did it,” Rincon testified. “I think he’s investigating if I see him.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
