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Jay Bryant Pleads Guilty in Run-DMC DJ Murder

4/28/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Jay Bryant pleaded guilty in federal court, first admission of involvement in the 2002 shooting of Run-DMC DJ Jason Mizell.
He told the magistrate he knew a gun would be used and his conduct was criminal.
Prosecutors cited his DNA on a hat at the scene and statements that he fired the gun.
He faces a 15- to 20-year murder sentence, plus earlier drug and gun convictions, with sentencing pending.

History

Historical Context

The 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, signed by President Bill Clinton and drafted in part by Senator Joe Biden, created mandatory minimum sentences for federal firearm offenses and funded 100,000 additional police officers. Those provisions underpin the federal prosecutors’ request for a 15-to-20-year sentence for Jay Bryant’s 2002 shooting of DJ Jason Mizell.

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Story summary

Jay Bryant pleaded guilty in federal court, first admission of involvement in the 2002 shooting of Run-DMC DJ Jason Mizell.
He told the magistrate he knew a gun would be used and his conduct was criminal.
Prosecutors cited his DNA on a hat at the scene and statements that he fired the gun.
He faces a 15- to 20-year murder sentence, plus earlier drug and gun convictions, with sentencing pending.

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