Over twenty years since Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington allegedly murdered Jam Master Jay inside a Queens recording studio, their trial has now officially began. 

Though witnesses were in the room when the murder happened, and police generated a number of leads, no charges were filed until August 2020. Prosecutors allege that the two men killed Jam Master Jay as payback after a failed cocaine deal.

“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,” prosecutors said at the time. “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.”

Following the selection of a jury last week, opening statements are slated to begin today. The trial, before U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall, is expected to run for a month. If convicted, Jordan Jr. and Washington each face the possibility of life in prison.