TAMPA, Fla. — The 13th Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office indicated on Wednesday that it is considering seeking the death penalty for the suspects charged in Jacksonville rapper Foolio's murder.
Foolio, whose real name is Charles Jones, was 26 years old when he was shot and killed while celebrating his birthday at a hotel in Tampa on June 23. Three others were wounded in the shooting as well. The rapper's attorney told First Coast News shortly after the incident that Jones was "ambushed."
Investigators claim Jones' death was the result of retaliation in an "ongoing Jacksonville gang war." All of the suspects are documented gang members of ATK and 1200, both of which have been involved in a decades-long feud between Foolio's gang, "6 Block." The U.S. Attorney's Office said in December 2022 that ATK stands for "Ace's Top Killers."
The suspects who have been charged in the killing with first-degree murder include Isaiah Chance, 21, Alicia Andrews, 21, Sean Gathright, 18, and Rashad Murphy, 30. Police are still looking to arrest Rashad's brother, Davion Murphy, who is accused of being one of three shooters in the murder along with Gathright and Rashad.
In a pre-trial hearing at the Hillsborough County Courthouse Wednesday for Chance, Andrews, Gathright and Rashad, Andrews' attorney told the judge that Andrews is not waiving her right to a speedy trial. As the other defendants decided to waive their right to a speedy trial, the judge set Andrews' trial start date for Jan. 6, 2025.
Afterward, Rashad Murphy's attorney said to the judge: "We have not received notice yet, but we potentially contemplate that their may be a notice filed by state, seeking death."
The judge then asked Assistant State Attorney Michelle Doherty if the Murphy's attorney's statement was accurate.
"Judge, it is accurate," Doherty said. "A final decision has not been made. It is going to be reviewed within the next two weeks, judge. It's not just his client, but there are others as well."
The judge responded saying with Andrews' choice to not waive her right to a speedy trial, discovery in the case would have to begin "immediately," as she said she will not allow "several bites of the apple for these witnesses [to be deposed]."
Andrews' attorney also made it known to the courtroom that Andrews is pregnant, with a due date of Feb. 16, and said that she filed a motion to reduce charges for Andrews on Aug. 27, which the judge said would be addressed at a later court hearing.
As for Chance, Gathright and Murphy, the judge on Wednesday set their next pre-trial hearing for Dec. 19 at 10 a.m., and a preliminary trial start date for Dec. 1, 2025 if the state does not seek the death penalty. But, if the state does seek the death penalty, the preliminary trial date the judge set is April 13, 2026.
