Home / Crime and Justice / Jam Master Jay Murder Conviction Overturned; Seeks Bond
Jam Master Jay Murder Conviction Overturned; Seeks Bond
31 Jan
Summary
- Karl Jordan Jr. seeks $1 million bond after murder conviction overturned.
- U.S. District Judge ruled insufficient evidence for conviction.
- Jordan remains under unrelated federal drug charges.
A bid for freedom on a $1 million bond has been submitted for Karl Jordan Jr., following the recent overturning of his murder conviction in the 2024 killing of hip-hop icon Jam Master Jay. Jordan's attorneys contend that "seismic changes in circumstances" now warrant his release pending the prosecution's appeal of the reversal.
In December 2025, U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall ruled there was insufficient evidence to support Jordan's federal murder conviction, acquitting him while upholding co-defendant Ronald Washington's conviction. Jam Master Jay, born Jason Mizell, was fatally shot in his New York City studio in 2002.
Jordan, who is also facing separate federal drug charges, has endured significant hardship during his over five years in federal jail, including a severe stabbing attack. His legal team highlighted these ongoing "physical, mental and emotional scars" in their filing Friday. Plea discussions for the drug charges are reportedly open.
