Isaiah Chance, Sean Gathright, Davion Murphy and Rashad Murphy each face a first-degree murder charge, among other charges, in connection to the rapper’s death.
TAMPA, Fla. — Opening statements are underway Wednesday in the trial of four suspects charged in Jacksonville rapper Foolio’s murder.
Isaiah Chance, Sean Gathright, Davion Murphy and Rashad Murphy each face a first-degree murder charge, among other cahrges, in connection to the rapper’s death.
A fifth suspect, Alicia Andrews, has not yet been sentenced after being convicted of manslaughter in a separate trial last year. Prosecutors said she acted as a lookout, helping her boyfriend, Chance, track Foolio’s movements the night he was murdered.
Foolio’s death
Foolio, whose real name is Charles Jones, was 26 years old when he was ambushed and shot to death outside of a Tampa Holiday Inn in June 2024. The rapper had been celebrating his birthday at the time.
Jones was a well-known, prominent member of a Jacksonville gang.
State attorneys called his murder premeditated stemming from an “ongoing gang war.”
Several of the defendants being tried are documented members or “associates” of rival gangs often linked to each other.
While Chance is accused of helping track Jones’ movements the night he was killed, Gathright, Davion and Rashad Murphy are accused of shooting and killing Jones.
Watch opening statements in the video player above or on the First Coast News YouTube page.
