{"id":241880,"date":"2026-04-22T14:33:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T14:33:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/241880\/"},"modified":"2026-04-22T14:33:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T14:33:18","slug":"live-opening-statements-begin-in-trial-for-4-suspects-charged-in-jacksonville-rapper-foolios-murder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/241880\/","title":{"rendered":"LIVE: Opening statements begin in trial for 4 suspects charged in Jacksonville rapper Foolio’s murder"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

TAMPA, Fla. \u2014 Opening statements are underway Wednesday in the trial of four suspects charged in Jacksonville rapper Foolio’s murder.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n


\nFoolio’s death <\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Jones was a well-known, prominent member of a Jacksonville gang.<\/p>\n

State attorneys called his murder premeditated stemming from an \u201congoing gang war.\u201d<\/p>\n

Several of the defendants being tried are documented members or \u201cassociates\u201d of rival gangs often linked to each other.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Watch opening statements in the video player above or on the First Coast News YouTube page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

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