Feds fight to detain man convicted, then acquitted of killing Jam Master Jay

The Second Circuit heard arguments over whether Karl Jordan Jr., convicted then acquitted in the 2002 murder of Run-DMC's Jam Master Jay, should remain jailed pending appeal. U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall had voided his murder conviction and granted him $1 million bail in April, reasoning his over five years in custody had reduced the danger tied to alleged drug trafficking.

Prosecutors argued Hall ignored Jordan's role in the killing and arbitrarily dismissed other violent acts as too old to matter. Defense counsel countered that the length of detention itself is a legitimate factor, not the only one, in assessing present danger.

The panel reserved ruling on bail and separately urged both sides to expedite the pending appeal of the acquittal itself, which has no hearing date yet.

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