Suspect in Run DMC murder named

Run DMC scored hits with It's Tricky and Walk This Way

US prosecutors have named a man in connection with the murder of Run DMC star and rap pioneer Jam Master Jay.

Legal papers filed in New York name Ronald Washington, 45, as the armed accomplice of a second, unidentified, gunman who shot the rapper and DJ.

The information came to light as part of Mr Washington's trial for robbery. He has not been charged with the murder and denies being involved.

Jay, real name Jason Mizell, was killed in his recording studio in 2002.

According to the court papers, Mr Washington "pointed his gun at those present in the studio, ordered them to get on the ground and provided cover for his associate to shoot and kill Jason Mizell".

Prosecutors also named Mr Washington as a suspect in the fatal shooting of Randy Walker, a close associate of the late rapper Tupac Shakur, in 1995.

Mr Washington has denied being connected to either case.

In a sworn statement, he claimed police detectives had unjustly hounded him about the killing of his "childhood friend" Mizell and other crimes.

The Mizell family welcomed the latest development. "We're relieved there's some information coming out, although we understand that it's not the full story," said spokeswoman Fern Yates.

As Jam Master Jay, Mizell was a key member of Run DMC, who are widely credited with bringing rap into the mainstream.

Along with Joseph "Run" Simmons and Daryl "DMC" McDaniels, he created hits like It's Tricky and King of Rock.

The group's smash-hit collaboration with Aerosmith, Walk This Way, helped them become the first rap act to enter the US top 10, and the first to have a video screened on MTV.