Female Criminals: The Woman Who Killed Rapper Julio Foolio

The murder of Julio Foolio was not a spontaneous act but a highly organized, premeditated hit. Individuals from rival gangs (ATK and 1200) traveled from Jacksonville to Tampa, using social media posts by the victim to track his movements throughout his birthday celebration. Surveillance video confirmed suspects following Julio Foolio from location to location before staging an ambush at his hotel.

Tampa Police Chief Lee Burkaw stated that 'a group of individuals with the goal of premeditated murder traveled from Jacksonville to Tampa to commit a heinous crime.' Surveillance video showed suspects following Jones and then three shooters exiting a vehicle to murder him with a handgun and two rifles. Isaiah Chance was identified as an ATK member, and Rashad and DaVon Murphy as 1200 gang members/associates.

Alicia Andrews, Julio Foolio's girlfriend and Isaiah Chance's on-again, off-again girlfriend, was present during the trip to Tampa. The prosecution argued she was an active participant in the conspiracy, helping to locate the victim and later lying to police. Her defense claimed she was an unwitting victim of circumstance, manipulated by her abusive boyfriend and unaware of any murder plot.

The prosecution highlighted Andrews' false statements to police, her denial of knowing co-defendants she traveled with for hours, and her past animosity towards Julio Foolio expressed in texts. The defense emphasized her lack of gang affiliation, not carrying a weapon, and not participating in suspicious activities like wearing all black or making phones 'go ghost'. Andrews testified she wore a COVID mask due to pregnancy, not to conceal her identity.

Despite being charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy, Alicia Andrews was convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter, indicating the jury found her culpable but without the premeditated intent required for murder. In contrast, her four male co-defendants were all convicted of first-degree murder, reflecting a higher degree of direct involvement and intent.

The jury found Alicia Andrews 'guilty of manslaughter, a lesser included offense' and 'not guilty' of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. She was sentenced to 15 years. Isaiah Chance, Shawn Gathright, Rashad Murphy, and DaVon Murphy were all found 'guilty of first-degree murder as charged' and recommended life in prison without parole.

Alicia Andrews' legal team filed an appeal, alleging judicial bias during her trial. This led to the removal of the original presiding judge and the appointment of a new one, highlighting concerns about fairness and impartiality in high-profile cases.

Court documents stated Judge Michelle Cisco 'exhibited overt hostility towards the defense, repeatedly interrupting counsel, refusing sidebars, and visibly prompting the prosecution during witness examination.' A second district court of appeals called for Judge Cisco's immediate removal, and Judge Kimberly Fernandez was named the new presiding judge.