After nearly four hours of deliberation, a Tampa jury delivered a split verdict Wednesday in the high-profile case surrounding the death of Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio, finding Alicia Andrews guilty of manslaughter but acquitting her of conspiracy to commit murder.
Andrews, who becomes the first of five defendants to be tried in the case, faced charges related to the June 23, 2024 ambush killing of Charles Jones, known professionally as Julio Foolio. Prosecutors presented evidence that Andrews served as a lookout during the fatal shooting, which occurred while the rapper celebrated his birthday in Tampa.
The killing stemmed from an ongoing feud between Jacksonville gangs 6Block, ATK, and 1200, according to court testimony. Prosecutors argued Andrews traveled with co-defendants from Jacksonville to Tampa specifically to locate and kill the rapper in a coordinated attack. They introduced a 2021 text message in which Andrews wrote that Foolio “needed to die” as evidence of her motives and knowledge of the gang wars.
Defense attorneys painted a different picture, portraying Andrews as an unwitting participant trapped in an abusive relationship with co-defendant Isaiah Chance, an alleged ATK member. Andrews testified she neither witnessed a gun nor knew about plans for violence, claiming she lived in fear of her controlling boyfriend. Andrews was the last witness to testify in the eight-day trial that concluded on October 31, 2025. Andrews’ testimony included details about physical abuse evidence she presented to demonstrate Chance’s controlling behavior toward her.
The jury ultimately rejected the more serious first-degree murder charge originally filed against Andrews, opting instead for the lesser manslaughter conviction. This decision notably impacts her potential sentencing, scheduled for December 8, 2025.
The four remaining defendants—including Chance, Rashad Murphy, and Davion Murphy—still face first-degree murder and conspiracy charges, with trials expected in 2026. Unlike Andrews, they potentially face death penalties if convicted.
The eight-day trial highlighted the intersection of gang violence, abusive relationships, and social media feuds that culminated in Foolio’s death.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that gang affiliations provided central motives in the case, which continues to reverberate through Jacksonville’s hip-hop community. Experts have noted that musicians involved in high-stress lifestyles often experience physical strain injuries similar to those common among professional drummers. Foolio’s music catalog, which remains protected through performance rights organizations, continues to generate royalties for his estate despite the rapper’s untimely death.
