From CNN.com . . .
NEW YORK (CNN) -- A defense attorney for a lifelong friend of a rap music star killed last year has told police that the rapper known as Jam Master Jay was carrying a gun and feared for his life the night of his death.
Defense attorney Dana Grossblatt confirmed the position of her client, Ronald Washington, that was first reported Thursday in the New York Daily News.
The newspaper obtained the information during a jailhouse interview with Washington, who is detained on armed robbery charges.
Washington contends that Jam Master Jay, whose real name was Jason Mizell -- the disc jockey for the legendary rap group Run-DMC -- was carrying a .45-caliber handgun the night he was shot at a recording studio in Queens, according to Grossblatt.
The attorney did not disclose why Mizell feared for his life that night, but she said Washington has shared the reason with police.
She also said that Washington has described to police and named the two men Washington claims he saw heading inside the studio minutes before he says he heard the gunshots that killed Mizell -- one bullet to the head -- and wounded another man.
Washington did not witness the shooting that night, Grossblatt said.
Police have said that Washington is among a number of crime scene witnesses.
"We're following every lead," said New York police inspector Michael Coan, who also declined to disclose the reason for Mizell's alleged fears before his killing.
"It's still under investigation. It's a complicated case. Most homicides are."
Neither police nor prosecutors have named any suspects in the case.
"The investigation is continuing," said Patrick Clark, a spokesman for the Queens County District Attorney.
Nor have police or prosecutors stated a motive for the killing.
"We will find a motive, I am certain. It's more important to find an individual, then you go to why," Coan said.
NEW YORK (CNN) -- A defense attorney for a lifelong friend of a rap music star killed last year has told police that the rapper known as Jam Master Jay was carrying a gun and feared for his life the night of his death.
Defense attorney Dana Grossblatt confirmed the position of her client, Ronald Washington, that was first reported Thursday in the New York Daily News.
The newspaper obtained the information during a jailhouse interview with Washington, who is detained on armed robbery charges.
Washington contends that Jam Master Jay, whose real name was Jason Mizell -- the disc jockey for the legendary rap group Run-DMC -- was carrying a .45-caliber handgun the night he was shot at a recording studio in Queens, according to Grossblatt.
The attorney did not disclose why Mizell feared for his life that night, but she said Washington has shared the reason with police.
She also said that Washington has described to police and named the two men Washington claims he saw heading inside the studio minutes before he says he heard the gunshots that killed Mizell -- one bullet to the head -- and wounded another man.
Washington did not witness the shooting that night, Grossblatt said.
Police have said that Washington is among a number of crime scene witnesses.
"We're following every lead," said New York police inspector Michael Coan, who also declined to disclose the reason for Mizell's alleged fears before his killing.
"It's still under investigation. It's a complicated case. Most homicides are."
Neither police nor prosecutors have named any suspects in the case.
"The investigation is continuing," said Patrick Clark, a spokesman for the Queens County District Attorney.
Nor have police or prosecutors stated a motive for the killing.
"We will find a motive, I am certain. It's more important to find an individual, then you go to why," Coan said.
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