Jury finds 4 men guilty in killing of Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – A jury on Friday discovered 4 men guilty of the murder of Jacksonville rapper Charles “Julio Foolio” Jones.

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A jury discovered Isaiah Chance, 23, Sean Gathright, 20, Rashad Murphy, 32, and Davion Murphy, 29, guilty of first-degree homicide and conspiracy expenses in the deadly capturing demise of Jones on June 23, 2024, in an ambush assault whereas he was celebrating his birthday.

All 4 will return to courtroom on Monday at 1 p.m. for the penalty part.

Court paperwork stated the assault was in retaliation for an ongoing Jacksonville gang warfare between 6Block and allied gangs, Ace’s Top Killers (ATK), and 1200.

Jones is a recognized and documented member of the 6Block gang.

In Oct. 2025, a jury found Alicia Andrews guilty of manslaughter for appearing as a lookout and monitoring Jones’ location earlier than he was killed. She was set to be sentenced in Dec. 2025, however her attorneys filed an attraction saying Judge Michelle Sisco was biased and her conduct prevented them from having a good trial.

Court information present that on Jan. 29, Judge Kimberly Fernandez was named the brand new choose, however a brand new sentencing date has not been set.

Prosecutors filed a movement to reverse the choice.

This story might be up to date because the trial continues.

Day 10 – Closing arguments

The state confirmed textual content messages from the defendants that confirmed their alleged roles in the planning of the capturing.

Prosecutors stated Gathright and Chance had been attempting to determine the place Jones was in Tampa. The state additionally confirmed textual content messages from Andrews, who booked the Airbnb in Tampa.

“There is a real gang war going on in Jacksonville,” the prosecutor stated. “ATK and 1200 are at way with 6Block. It is blatant.”

She referenced the social media posts in the early morning hours after Jones was killed.

“You see photographs of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady [on Rashad Murphy’s Instagram], the GOAT being posted…you see laughing emojis…there is nothing fun about the gang war in Jacksonville and on June 23 in 2024, this violence spilled into Tampa,” the prosecutor stated.

Rashad Murphy’s protection

Rashad Murphy’s protection legal professional is arguing that he can’t be positioned in Tampa at 4:40 a.m. on the day of the capturing based mostly on the proof that was offered.

He stated that Rashad Murphy’s cellphone was not tracked from Jacksonville to Tampa throughout any related time of the homicide. Defense stated that Rashad Murphy initially lied to JSO about being in Tampa when he actually wasn’t as a result of he was afraid of being tied to the capturing. But he instructed Detective Drabek that his account was used to e book the Airbnb and he thought his silver Chevy Cruze was getting used to go to Martin Correctional Institute to take gadgets to his incarcerated brother.

Rashad Murphy was seen coming into a Jacksonville Walmart a couple of days earlier than shopping for gadgets that had been discovered in the automobile whereas it was in Tampa. The protection maintained that Rashad Murphy thought these gadgets had been going to his brother in the Martin Correctional Institute.

The protection confirmed textual content messages that corroborate that along with his incarcerated brother asking Rashad Murphy the place the gadgets had been as a result of he by no means acquired them.

The protection legal professional stated that JSO Detective Ramos testified that he can’t definitively show that Rashad Murphy was in both the black Impala or the silver Chevy Cruze that traveled to Tampa or some other day relative to Jones’ homicide.

“There is no video in this case at any juncture that would identify Rashad Murphy outside of a guy wearing all black,” Rashad Murphy’s protection stated.

Sean Gathright’s protection

Gathright’s lawyer stated that he had nothing to do with the capturing and he in contrast him to a puzzle piece that doesn’t match into the bigger image.

“Law enforcement might have searched that car and searched that house and thought ‘man, we got a puzzle piece,’ but it doesn’t fit,” he stated.

He additionally stated that Gathright’s cellphone was by no means collected into proof and that detectives relied on cell tower mappings, which detectives testified might be unreliable.

His lawyer stated that Gathright’s cellphone pinged a cell tower on the north finish of the University of South Florida’s campus.

He additionally confirmed a nonetheless from the video of an accused shooter holding a rifle and he argued that the rifles that Gathright owns and was discovered in his house by police, don’t match the form of the rifle that may be seen in the video.

Gathright’s protection stated that he was going to his grandmother’s home in Polk County to swap out automobiles for his stress washing enterprise, then to his sister’s get together in Orlando. He then went to Tampa along with his good friend, Chance and had no concept in regards to the deliberate capturing.

His protection additionally established that Gathright shouldn’t be a member of any of the gangs concerned in the battle.

“Detective Ramos said they didn’t know who Sean Gathright was until Tampa police brought him up,” the legal professional stated.

The protection stated that the weapons and gun elements recovered from the home that Gathright shares along with his mom had no connection to the capturing in Tampa.

Isiah Chance’s protection

Chance’s lawyer stated that Jones was not his rival, because the prosecution stated.

The protection stated that Chance was not half of a surveillance workforce to trace Jones as a result of Jones posted the flyer of the place he was performing.

He additionally stated Chance doesn’t legally qualify to be a documented gang member as a result of he doesn’t have any tattoos to suggest it and the arresting JSO officer didn’t doc it.

He stated the state can’t show that Chance knew in regards to the capturing and so they might solely show that he was in Tampa in the automobile with Andrews, with an unknown driver.

Davion Murphy’s protection

His protection legal professional stated that Davion Murphy was on the Airbnb and he drove the Chevy Cruze again to Jacksonville. The legal professional maintained that he’s not seen with any weapons and there’s no social media posts associated to the capturing hooked up to him, no DNA proof discovered and no textual content messages.

His protection stated that he couldn’t have been the third shooter as a result of in an interview with JSO, he’s seen writing along with his left hand and the third shooter in the video is right-handed.

Day 9 – Guns and ammunition used in the capturing, Gathright site visitors cease

Amara Drew of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement testified to the weapons and ammunition used in the capturing.

Detective Craig Griffin testified to the Gathright site visitors cease. He was additionally assigned to look at the Cut Throat Committee (CTC) and 1200 gangs. Griffin additionally talked in regards to the connections between Rashad and Davion Murphy.

Griffin stated that Davion Murphy has tattoos of deceased 1200 gang members.

The state rested its case.

Day 8 – JSO Gang Unit detectives discuss in regards to the conflicts between gangs

JSO Detective Juan Ramos returned to the stand as he reviewed Instagram posts and textual content messages between the defendants and from Jones. The messages additionally confirmed that Andrews was the one who booked the Airbnb on June 21, 2024.

JSO Detective Richard Meader is assigned to look at the ATK gang and their actions. Meader additionally talked about Chance’s connections to ATK.

JSO Detective Trey McCullough is assigned to look at the 6Block gang and responded to the warfare between ATK/1200 and 6Block.

Day 7 – Witness says he talked with Rashad Murphy after the capturing

Robert Howard, also referred to as Kenny Caps, took the stand and talked about his connections to the folks concerned in the case. He stated he had recognized Jones since they had been children, however he denied realizing Chance personally, however knew him as “Gutta.”

Howard stated he went all the way down to Tampa with Jones and described leaving a membership and using in one other automobile towards the lodge advanced the place the capturing occurred.

He stated he heard gunshots and described what he witnessed throughout the capturing. He additionally talked with Rashad Murphy after the capturing.

Prosecutor: What did he say throughout the name itself?

Howard: He forgives me once more. He forgives me. And the place was I?

P: Did you perceive the place had been you to be about? Or did he offer you any type of context when he stated the place had been you?

RH: Where was I? I used to be round.

RH: Stuff like he seen me.

P: Where?

RH: Walking down the steps of the membership I assume. He stated he seen me by the membership. Seen me on the membership.

P: Did he say what you had been doing on the membership when he noticed you?

RH: He stated I used to be paying consideration.

P: Then did he make any statements in regards to the Hotel2Suites? The murder scene? The location?

RH: Yeah, he stated that that was him in entrance of that automobile.

P: Did you’ve gotten any concept what he was speaking about?

RH: I type of did sure ma’am.

During cross-examination, the protection questioned his credibility. They questioned the timing of his statements and why he waited to share this info whereas pointing to the federal expenses he already faces.

Day 6 – Tampa police observe up with victims, Sean Gathright’s arrest

Tampa police who went to the scene and adopted up with the victims testified about their findings. Detective Craig Griffin stated he helped cease a gold Toyota 4Runner after receiving a tip that it could be linked to the homicide.

The driver was recognized as Sean Gathright. He complied with officers and exited the automobile. Police searched the automobile and located a Glock 9mm and a bag with unfastened ammunition, magazines and gun elements in the again seat.

A search warrant was obtained for a home linked to Chance, the place Andrews was current.

Griffin stated the proof discovered in the automobile gave possible trigger for Gathright’s arrest and he was taken into custody that day.

Noah Reilly, the health worker, took the stand and described all of the gunshot wounds to Jones.

Day 5 – Defense says social media posts aren’t strong proof

JSO Gang Unit Detective Christopher Drabek returned to the stand and testified that Rashad Murphy was taken into custody by SWAT after an extended standoff. Drabek stated in his interview with Rashad Murphy, he initially denied key particulars like being in Tampa or reserving the Airbnb, however he modified his story once they confirmed him proof and cellphone information.

Drabek identified that Rashad Murphy switched palms when writing throughout the interview, which stood out to him as a result of surveillance footage confirmed the gunman utilizing his left hand.

Drabek additionally recognized social media posts that he interpreted as celebrating Jones’ demise and shared his findings with Tampa police.

The protection argued that the social media posts might imply various things and that Drabek couldn’t hyperlink one of the accounts to Rashad Murphy, suggesting that his findings had been based mostly on interpretation, slightly than strong proof.

Day 4 – JSO detective says it’s unsure who booked Airbnb

Detective Juan Ramos returned to the stand and recognized a silver BMW linked to Isaiah Chance coming and going from a residence tied to the investigation. People related to the investigation may very well be seen exiting the BMW, coming into the house and unloading gadgets into the automobile.

Ramos talked about how the proof hyperlinks Rashad Murphy and others to the murder investigation. The protection questioned the weaknesses in the case, pointing to an absence of visible identification and no forensic affirmation.

Ramos acknowledged the holes in the investigation, together with no search warrants for Rashad Murphy’s house and uncertainty about who booked the Airbnb.

Detective Christopher Drabek is in JSO’s gang unit and his position is to watch gang exercise on social media. He stated they had been conscious of the deliberate birthday journey to Tampa. Drabek additionally stated they recorded a Twitter Spaces argument between Jones and Chance, which confirmed ongoing tensions between the rival teams.

Day 3 – Defense questions JSO detective’s strategies

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Detective Richard Needer returned to the stand and talked about how “drill rap videos” are sometimes about disrespecting rival gangs, and it doesn’t essentially imply they dedicated it.

The protection stated that Jones had many enemies as a consequence of what he posted on social media and his gang ties. They additionally stated that many shootings tied to the gang feuds stay unsolved, which weakens any direct hyperlink between the lyrics and actual crimes.

Attorneys questioned Needer’s strategies, emphasizing that his information got here from social media and interpretation, not firsthand involvement in the crimes.

Needer clarified that he didn’t alter lyrics and solely corrected apparent transcription errors and used coaching and expertise to interpret gang-related content material.

Officer Jael Bahamundi stated that he helped arrest Rashad Murphy utilizing a license plate reader alert tied to a automobile linked to a felony in Tampa. He stated Murphy received out of the automobile at a lodge in Tampa and ran on foot.

Detective Angela Carter stated after Rashad Murphy’s arrest, she discovered a cellphone in the automobile that was working a maps app and had references to Jones, an AR-style rifle photograph, ID photos and an Airbnb reserving.

Detective Taylor Kline stated he tracked the defendants’ telephones and surveillance footage confirmed a silver Chevrolet Cruze going by means of a McDonald’s drive-thru with an unconfirmed quantity of folks inside, however there was at the least two. Kline additionally admitted that cellphone location knowledge isn’t precise and should include errors.

Detective Juan Ramos took the stand and recognized social media posts main as much as the night time of his homicide. Ramos additionally stated they reviewed surveillance footage that mapped Jones’ actions and the suspects’ automobiles, which exhibits coordinated exercise main as much as the capturing.

Day 2 – Victim describes woman’s journey gone mistaken

Day two included continued statements from Alverson, victims, and witnesses.

Alverson stated forensics discovered 31 9mm shell casings and projectile fragments linking the gunfire to 3 shooters and two autos, a Chevrolet Impala and a Chevrolet Cruze.

Investigators used a Tesla’s “Sentry Mode” and lodge surveillance footage to trace the shooters’ actions and the concussive blast from a rifle fired by a 3rd shooter was highly effective sufficient to set off a close-by automobile’s alarm.

Alverson stated the Dodge Charger, which Jones was in, fled beneath hearth earlier than stopping with him in a defensive place inside.

He stated there was property harm and bullet holes in occupied lodge rooms and bystander autos.

Two witnesses who knew Jones, however didn’t wish to be recognized, stated they traveled to Tampa from Jacksonville for his birthday celebration.

Camilla Bentley, a capturing sufferer, stated she was in Tampa for a women’ journey and ended up at Airbnb events and golf equipment with Jones’ group by means of a good friend. She stated that she was sitting in a automobile on the lodge when the gunfire went off. She escaped, however was shot in the precise arm throughout the assault. Bentley additionally stated she by no means noticed the shooters.

Audra Agramente was a visitor in the lodge that night time along with her husband and her daughter’s boyfriend whereas serving to her daughter transfer into the University of South Florida. Agramente stated they had been woke up by the gunshots and a bullet struck their room window.

Other officers and witnesses testified, together with Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office detectives concerned with the 2019 homicide investigation of Adrian Gaynor, 17, on Jacksonville’s Northside.

Day 1 – Opening Statements

The prosecution gave opening statements saying that Jones was killed in a focused and coordinated ambush whereas celebrating his birthday in Tampa. The defendants are accused of stalking and following Jones and firing dozens of rounds into his automobile whereas he was trapped inside. The state previewed proof for the jury, including surveillance footage, cellphone knowledge and movies that prosecutors stated present the defendants stalking the sufferer to coordinate their assault. After the capturing, the accused gunmen returned to a rented Airbnb after which cut up as much as return to Jacksonville.

Chance’s protection legal professional stated the prosecution can’t show that he was concerned in the homicide and so they blamed Rashad Murphy for the plan.

Tampa Police Officer Brian Godcharles took the stand and stated he responded to a shots-fired name on the Home 2 Suites and Holiday Inn advanced to safe a big crime scene.

He stated he noticed a black Dodge Charger with bullet holes and recognized a close-by Hyundai Sonata linked to witnesses.

Godcharles stated he discovered pistol shell casings close to a portico and located automobile particles in line with a attainable collision and confirmed bullet harm to lodge home windows, which he stated signifies that pictures had been fired towards each autos and the constructing.

Officer Zachary Conaway responded to the scene and stated officers had been briefed beforehand about potential threats involving Jones and rival teams. Officers additionally discovered two gunshot victims who wanted rapid medical consideration.

Detective David Alverson stated they reviewed surveillance footage exhibiting suspects fleeing a car and coming into the lodge. They additionally adopted a blood path from the automobile by means of the foyer as much as the third flooring, the place extra victims had been discovered.