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Death penalty considered in Julio Foolio murder case
Prosecutors say they’re weighing whether to seek the death penalty against any of the suspects charged in the death of rapper Charles Jones, also known as Julio Foolio. Four suspects appeared in court Wednesday.
TAMPA, Fla. - The state confirmed it is considering the death penalty in the Tampa murder case involving five suspects accused in the shooting death of Jacksonville rapper, Charles Jones.
Rashad Murphy, 30, Isaiah Chance, 21, Alicia Andrews, 21, and Sean Gathright, 18, have all been charged with first-degree murder. They’re accused of traveling from Jacksonville to Tampa to carry out the deadly shooting near USF in what investigators have described as an ongoing gang war.
RELATED: New court documents shed light on rapper Julio Foolio's murder in Tampa
Chance and Andrews have been described as the "lookouts," who followed Jones as he moved around Tampa to two clubs while celebrating his birthday on June 22. In the early morning hours of June 23, the rapper, who also goes by Julio Foolio, traveled to the Home2Suites near USF, where surveillance video recorded three shooters firing at his vehicle in the parking lot, killing him.
Video shows suspects with guns shooting at rapper Julio Foolio.
The suspected shooters were later identified as Gathright, Rashad Murphy, and Davion Murphy. Rashad Murphy and Chance are documented members of two different gangs, whose shared enemy is Jones’ gang.
"A final decision has not been made," Assistant State Attorney Michelle Doherty said of the death penalty on Wednesday. "It is going to be reviewed within the next two weeks."
READ: Suspect wanted for murder of Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio arrested after standoff, officials say
During Wednesday’s court hearing, it was not announced which defendants the state is considering for the death penalty.
Suspects in the murder of rapper Julio Foolio appear in court.
Andrews’ attorney told the courtroom that her client, who is pregnant, is not waiving a speedy trial. Her trial was set for early January 2025.
Meanwhile, the other three defendants did waive speedy trial. Those who end up facing the death penalty are expected to go to trial in April 2026. Those who are not facing the death penalty are expected to go to trial in December 2025.
The four defendants are each represented by four different attorneys. The judge asked them to coordinate their schedules to begin taking depositions in November and December.
The defendants will appear in court again on Oct. 17.
Authorities are still searching for Davion Murphy.
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