A judge vacated Jam Master Jay’s murder conviction, citing a lack of motive, and Karl Jordan Jr. asked for $1 million bail.
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Carl Jordan Jr. wants to be released from prison on $1 million bail after a federal judge dismissed his murder conviction in the Jam Master Jay case.
Jordan’s attorneys filed documents Friday calling for Jordan’s release while prosecutors appeal the December ruling. U.S. District Judge Rashan DeArcy Hall overturned Jordan’s conviction but kept co-defendant Ronald Washington in prison.
Jordan, 42, is the godson of Jam Master Jay. He and Washington were convicted in February 2024 for the October 30, 2002 slaying of the Run-DMC turntable legend at a Queens recording studio.
Prosecutors say the two shot Jam Master Jay over a drug deal that went bad. They claimed Jordan and Washington killed DJ because he stopped them from participating in a cocaine operation in Baltimore.
But Judge Hall said prosecutors never proved Jordan had a motive to kill his godfather. Witnesses confirmed Jordan fired the fatal shot, but the judge found no evidence he was angry over the drug deal.
Uriel “Tony” Rincon said he saw Jordan fire the fatal shot. Lydia High said she saw a man with a tattoo on his neck give JMJ “a pound” before gunfire erupted.
Hay also testified that Washington pointed a gun at her when she tried to escape.
“The court is not convinced,” Hall wrote in the 29-page ruling. “There is simply no evidence that Jordan felt cheated as a result of the Baltimore trade’s collapse.”
Washington was right in his belief. The judge said there was evidence Washington was excluded from the Baltimore agreement and wanted revenge against Jam Master Jay.
Jordan has served more than five years in Brooklyn federal prison. In February last year, he was stabbed 18 times in the back during an inmate fight. His lawyer said the attack left him with “physical, mental and emotional trauma”.
Judge Hall told Jordan during a recent hearing: “This should not happen to you. This should not happen to anyone.”
Years after Jam Master Jay’s death, Jordan still faces separate federal drug charges. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His attorneys and prosecutors are discussing a possible plea deal. The proposed $1 million bond includes electronic monitoring.
A hearing date has not yet been set. Prosecutors appealed Jordan’s acquittal. They declined to comment on his bail request.
Jordan maintains that co-defendant Jay Bryant shot Jam Master Jay. Bryant will face a separate trial in May 2026. He has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.
Bryant’s trial will determine whether prosecutors can finally wrap up their investigation into Jam Master Jay’s murder.
