NEW YORK >> A convicted drug dealer reluctantly testified Monday that Jam Master Jay — known for his anti-drug advocacy as part of the groundbreaking rap group Run-DMC — got involved in cocaine deals to pay his bills.

Taking the stand at the federal murder trial over the DJ’s October 2002 death, Ralph Mullgrav gave the first testimony about the alleged drug dealing that, prosecutors claim, got the rap star killed. He was shot dead in his studio in front of stunned aides, one of whom wept in court Monday as she recounted the attack.

The defendants — Mizell’s godson, Karl Jordan Jr., and the DJ’s childhood friend Ronald Washington — have pleaded not guilty to murder in a case that has offered answers to the long-unsolved loss of a hip-hop legend while airing questions about how his life went once the limelight dimmed.

— The Associated Press