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Judge Overturns Karl Jordan Jr.’s Conviction in Jam Master Jay Killing

The court found prosecutors failed to prove the drug-related motive required under the narcotics-murder charges.

Overview

  • U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall on Dec. 19 granted a rare judgment of acquittal for Jordan nearly two years after the jury verdict.
  • The judge rejected co-defendant Ronald Washington’s motions, leaving his 2024 conviction in the case intact.
  • Hall called the government’s motive theories “impermissibly speculative,” even with eyewitness testimony identifying Jordan as the shooter.
  • Prosecutors said the ruling is being reviewed, and Jordan remains detained on unrelated drug charges from years after the 2002 killing.
  • A third defendant, Jay Bryant, remains charged and is slated for a separate trial in May 2026, according to court filings.