Jam Master Jay’s Accused Killer Won’t Have Rap Lyrics Used Against Him In Court
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A judge has ruled that the accused killer of Jam Master Jay cannot have his rap lyrics used against him in court.
According to Billboard, on Tuesday (Jan. 30), Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall decided Karl Jordan Jr. will not be made to answer for descriptive lyrics while on trial for murder.
Prosecutors attempted to use Jordan’s lyrics where he rhymes “We aim for the head, no body shots, and we stick around just to see the body drop,” since Jay was shot in the head.
In a 14-page order, Judge Hall references artists including Public Enemy, Queen Latifah, Dr. Dre, Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Nas, Future, Grand Master Flash, and Ice Spice, explaining how rappers have “played the part of storytellers, providing a lens into their lives and those in their communities.”
“Courts should be wary of overly permissive rules allowing the use of rap lyrics and videos against criminal defendants at trial,” the judge wrote. “Music artists should be free to create without fear that their lyrics could be unfairly used against them at a trial.”
Elsewhere in the ruling, Judge Hall explained that artists are “increasingly incentivized to create music about drugs and violence to gain commercial success,” adding that rappers often “will exaggerate or fabricate the contents of their music in pursuit of that success.”
A footnote written in the opinion, per the Associated Press, clarifies, “The Court cannot help but note that odious themes – including racism, misogyny, and homophobia – can be found in a wide swath of genres other than rap music.”
Jordan stands alongside Ronald Washington in the 2002 slaying of Jam Master Jay. Jordan and Washington allegedly committed the violent crime after a drug deal gone wrong. If convicted, both men face life in prison, but will not face the death penalty.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement at the time, “The defendants allegedly carried out the cold-blooded murder of Jason Mizell, a brazen act that has finally caught up with them thanks to the dedicated detectives, agents and prosecutors who never gave up on this case. The charges announced today begin to provide a measure of justice to the family and friends of the victim, and make clear that the rule of law will be upheld, whether that takes days, months, or decades.”
A third man, Jay Bryant, is also accused of participating in the murder. Prosecutors claim that Bryant’s DNA links him to the crime scene. Pleading not guilty in May 2023, his separate trial is set for later this year.
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