Judge Hall granted Jordan’s movement for a judgment of acquittal, overturning his February 2024 conviction for homicide whereas engaged in a narcotics trafficking conspiracy and a associated firearm offense. The determination leaves intact the conviction of co-defendant Ronald Washington and sends a significant jolt via a prosecution tied to one in every of hip-hop’s most infamous unsolved killings.

Mizell was shot and killed inside his Queens recording studio on Oct. 30, 2002. The case remained chilly for almost 20 years earlier than federal expenses have been filed. Prosecutors alleged the killing stemmed from retaliation over a collapsed cocaine distribution scheme involving a deliberate Baltimore operation.

Jordan, who’s Mizell’s godson, was accused of collaborating within the conspiracy and firing the deadly shot. The authorities argued Mizell’s function as a intermediary blocked income and motivated violence. Judge Hall rejected that concept as unsupported by the trial document.

Karl Jordan Jr.’s Jam Master Jay’s Murder Conviction Overturned by Federal Judge

“The court is not convinced,” Hall wrote in a 29-page opinion.

She mentioned the federal government supplied “no evidence suggesting that Jordan felt cheated by the failure of the Baltimore deal” or was motivated to kill Mizell over medicine. The courtroom characterised the prosecution’s motive theories as “impermissibly speculative and just conjecture.”

Hall acknowledged proof exhibiting Jordan participated in drug exercise on the time. Still, she discovered prosecutors failed to attach that conduct to retaliatory intent. She dominated Jordan met the heavy burden required below Rule 29 for acquittal.

The courtroom conditionally denied Jordan’s request for a brand new trial, rendering it moot after vacating the conviction.

Hall denied related motions from Washington, discovering enough proof for a jury to deduce he sought retaliation after being excluded from a probably profitable deal. Washington stays convicted.

At trial, prosecutors relied on eyewitness testimony. Uriel “Tony” Rincon testified Jordan fired the deadly shot. Another witness, Lydia High, mentioned a person with a neck tattoo greeted Mizell moments earlier than gunfire. High additionally testified Washington held her at gunpoint as she tried to flee.

Jordan, who was 18 on the time, has lengthy maintained an alibi. His protection has pointed to Jay Bryant, whose DNA was discovered on a hat on the scene. Bryant has pleaded not responsible and is scheduled for trial in May 2026.

The U.S. lawyer’s workplace for the Eastern District of New York mentioned it’s reviewing the choice.