A quick guide to Kwanzaa
The holiday, which serves as a nationwide communal event reinforcing self-determination and unity in the face of oppression, spans seven…
FILE PHOTO: Jam Master Jay performs at X-treme Radio's "Our Big Concert 4" at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas in this May 12, 2001 file photo.
Federal prosecutors charge 3rd man in 2002 shooting death of Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay
NEW YORK (AP) — A third man has been charged in the 2002 shooting death of Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay, prosecutors said Tuesday, marking the latest movement in a case that languished for years.
Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York filed a superseding indictment on Tuesday, charging Jay Bryant, 49, in the death of Jason "Jay" Mizell, known professionally as Jam Master Jay.
WATCH: What Run-DMC, Peter Parker, and Linus have in common
Two other men, Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr., had previously been indicted in August 2020 for the death of Jay. The hip-hop trailblazer was shot in the head in his studio on Oct. 30, 2002.
Bryant's attorney, César de Castro, said in an email that they had just learned of the charges.
"Securing an indictment in a secret grand jury, applying an extremely low burden of proof, is one thing. Proving it at trial is another matter," he said.
Bryant, from Queens, was in custody already on unrelated federal drug charges.
At the time the other two men were indicted, authorities said Jay's death involved a drug deal gone bad. In a letter filed with the court on Tuesday, prosecutors said Bryant and the two other men entered the building that evening, and then fled after the shooting. They said Bryant was seen going into the building, and his DNA was recovered at the scene.
Jay was in Run-DMC with Joseph "Run" Simmons and Darryl "DMC" McDaniel in the early 1980s. The group helped bring hip-hop music into the mainstream. Run DMC's hits include "King of Rock," "It's Tricky" and a remake of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way."
For years, Jay's death lingered as a cold case, with witnesses reluctant to speak up despite reward money being offered.
Support Canvas
Sustain our coverage of culture, arts and literature.
More Stories
Watch
The cultural significance of the movies just added to the National Film Registry
The Library of Congress announced the 25 films that made it into this year's National Film Registry. The registry, started…
One of India's most accomplished classical musicians, Zakir Hussain, dies at 73
Zakir Hussain, one of India's most accomplished classical musicians who defied genres and introduced tabla to global audiences, died on…
Watch
New era in chess: Levy Rozman discusses Gukesh Dommaraju becoming youngest world champion
The newest world chess champion is also the youngest ever to claim the title. Eighteen-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju, who defeated defending…
Watch
Amy Sherald on the gaze and humanity of her portraits
She has painted portraits of Michelle Obama and Breonna Taylor. But much of Amy Sherald's work is about filling in…
Watch
Gwen Ifill featured in PBS Kids series, 'Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum'
The animated PBS Kids series, "Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum," follows Xavier as he, his sister and friend meet…
Watch
Stevenson reflects on inequities in justice system 10 years after release of 'Just Mercy'
Bryan Stevenson, the prominent lawyer and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, has blazed a trail representing the poor,…
Watch
Longtime court sketch artist Bill Hennessy Jr. dies
Longtime court sketch artist Bill Hennessy, who captured history with his sketchbook for more than 40 years died on Monday…
Watch
Remembering the fierce and lyrical voice of poet Nikki Giovanni
Nikki Giovanni, a fierce and lyrical voice of the Black experience, has died. Giovanni's work illuminated love, liberation and the…
Poet Nikki Giovanni, author and literary celebrity, has died at 81
Author of more than 25 books, Giovanni was a born confessor and performer whom fans came to know her well…
Watch
This arts program offers new approach to rehab and re-entry
A tried and true program in East L.A. helps former gang members, drug users and those leaving incarceration build a…
Golden Globe nominations announced, musical 'Emilia Pérez' leads with 10 nominations
The nominations for Globes, which will be televised by CBS and streamed on Paramount+ on Jan. 5, were announced on…
The end of the Eras tour marks a bittersweet moment for Taylor Swift fans
After more than 150 shows across five continents over nearly two years, the global phenomenon that is Taylor Swift's Eras…
Merriam-Webster's 2024 word of the year: 'polarization'
"Polarization means division, but it's a very specific kind of division," said Peter Sokolowski, Merriam-Webster's editor at large, in an…
Watch
A student and teacher connect over small acts of kindness that made a big difference
In 1958, when John Cruitt's mother died, his third-grade teacher made a small gesture of kindness that meant a great…