By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - The Source
EDNY COURTHOUSE, Nov 15 – For the murder of Jason Mizell (Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC), on August 17. 2020 Ronald Washington was arraigned and detained the day after co-defendant Karl Jordan Jr. by U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York Magistrate Judge Lois Bloom. Inner City Press live tweeted it, below.
On September 18, 2020 both defendants were before EDNY District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall for a status conference, which included discussion of the Capital [that is, death penalty] review process. Inner City Press live tweeted it, below.
On November 15, 2021 Judge DeArcy Hall held another conference, with a phone call-in line unlike US v. Ghislaine Maxwell in SDNY, and Inner City Press thus covered it.
The defendant have been informed that DOJ will NOT seek the death penalty against them. They asked for 30 days and got it, to December 15 at 9 am. Inner City Press will stay on the case(s).
From September 18, 2020: Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall says the multi-count indictment is not only for the October 30, 2002 murder of Jason Mizell, but also narcotics and firearms charges.
AUSA: We are submitted a Capital Case memo. One or both want time to put together a mitigation memo.
Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall: You all are going to need some time. I typically set status conferences 30 days out. But given the nature of this case, I propose 60 days. Is there any objection? "Not from the government." Nov 18 at 9 am, next status conference?
One of the defense lawyers has another EDNY appears that morning. So, 10:30 am on Nov 18.
Judge: Any application? AUSA: Exclude time under the Speedy Trial Act, to prepare the Capital Case memo [to ask DOJ to approve seeking death penalty.]
Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall, to the defendants: You are entitled to a speedy and public trial in 70 days, with certain periods of excludable day. Do you agree to stop that clock? Yes. Yes.
Ronald Washington: Can I ask my lawyer?
CJA Kellman: Yes, I think it's best
Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall: Anything more? No. No. No. Stay healthy and well. We are adjourned
Judge Bloom: Have you met pre-trial services?
Washington: No. I have been incarcerated for 17 years. AUSA: Though Mr Washington did not pull the trigger, he is equally guilty of the execution of music icon as his co-defendant.
Washington: I don't even have my lawyer's phone number. Judge Bloom: Email it to him, at the jail. Washington: They took me out of my cell without my glasses. I can't even see without them.
Judge Bloom: You can take the paper back with you. Defense: He came from Kentucky. The glasses are there. So he has to go to an eye doctor. Judge Bloom: Are they prescription glasses?
Washington: Yes. Judge Bloom: Does the AUSA object? AUSA: No. [No explanation]
Judge Bloom: We don't know if he'll go to MDC or MCC. But he should see an eye doctor. Mr Washington, good luck. We are adjourned.
From August 17: Judge Bloom: Mr. Jordan, you have been indicted by a grand jury on August 13 on 10 counts. You have filed a financial affidavit that you were not working and have four dependents. Your CJA lawyer is an esteemed member of the panel, including on the capital panel Do you consent to appear by video, Mr. Jordan? Jordan: Michael, do I consent? Michael Hueston, CJA: Yes, we do. You do. AUSA: The government is seeking a permanent order of detention pending trial. It's a presumption case. US Attorney's Office describes fatal shooting of Mizell inside the victim’s recording studio in Hollis, Queens. Jordan is charged with several additional narcotics distribution counts. In 2003 Jordan was charged on guns. And 2017, with drugs. AUSA: This case carries the possibility of the death penalty. So there is a compelling risk of flight. Judge Bloom: I wanted you to hear it, Mr. Jordan, since you haven't gotten a copy of the US detention memo. It is not your CJA lawyer's job to rebut this today. CJA lawyer: We are going to consent to detention with leave to submit a bail application later. Judge Bloom: Your lawyer knows how to get it on the court's calendar. The overall case, next date in Sept 17, 11 am. Anything more? No? We are adjourned.
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