An eyewitness to the death of Run DMC legend Jam Master Jay has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for a string of robbery offences.

Ronald Washington has long been accused by Federal prosecutors of being more than a witness to the rappers death, which took place in a Queens recording studio in 2002.

Prosecutors have previously claimed that Washington held people at gunpoint while another unknown individual shot the Run DMC icon.

In Washington’s sentencing for robbery charges, all of which took place after 2002, U.S. District Judge Nina Gershon declined calls from prosecutors to include Washington’s presence at the recording studio.

Washington has always denied any involvement in Jam Master Jay’s shooting and his defence lawyer told the Associated Press that allegations to the contrary were nothing but "gossip”.

(by Jason Gregory)