Brooklyn judge rules Jam Master Jay murder suspect gets solo trial
Brooklyn Federal Court Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall ruled that Jay Bryant, one of the three men charged with the 2002 murder of hip-hop icon Jam Master Jay, will stand trial separately from the other two accused, Ronald “Tinard” Washington and Karl Jordan Jr., in a decision issued Friday.
The decision was prompted by the likelihood of conflicting accounts among the accused. Bryant, 49, had requested the trial severance, stating that each suspect intends to deflect guilt onto the others, thereby complicating jury deliberations.
Federal prosecutors have previously stated that Bryant admitted to being the shooter and was seen entering the victim’s studio in Jamaica, Queens. DNA evidence also links Bryant to the crime scene. However, the prosecution maintains that Bryant was not the triggerman and will present evidence suggesting Jordan fired the fatal shots.