TAMPA, Fla. (Court TV) — Four men are standing trial on charges they murdered a rising rap star as part of an ongoing gang war.

From left: Isaiah Chance, Sean Gathright, Rashad Murphy and Davion Murphy. (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)

Isaiah Chance, 23, Sean Gathright, 20, Rashad Murphy, 32, and Davion Murphy, 29, have pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the shooting death of Charles Jones, who was known as “Julio Foolio.”

Jones was shot to death in what police called a “targeted gang-related killing” on June 23. Investigators say Chance, Gathright, Davion Murphy and Rashad Murphy traveled together from their homes in Jacksonville, Florida, and followed the victim southwest to Tampa, where he planned to celebrate his 26th birthday. Also along for the journey was Alicia Andrews, 23, Chance’s girlfriend, who was previously found guilty for her role in the shooting.

Prosecutors say the motive for the shooting stemmed from a yearslong gang war in Jacksonville. Jones was a documented member of the gang “6 Block,” which was in an open rivalry with both Ace’s Top Killers (ATK) and 1200. The four co-defendants are all members of either ATK or 1200; Andrews was not a member of any gang.

A masked gunman is seen in surveillance video (Tampa Police Dept)

Surveillance video at a Homes 2 Suites in Tampa shows the gunmen getting out of vehicles and beginning to shoot at cars associated with the victim. Jones was killed and three other people were injured; Tampa detectives said the gunmen were Gathright, Rashad Murphy and Davion Murphy. Prosecutors said that Chance and Andrews served as scouts for locations as they searched for the victim.

Judge Michelle Sisco will preside over the trial; she had previously presided over Andrews’ criminal trial. She will not, however, preside over Andrews’ sentencing, after Florida’s Second District Court of Appeals removed her following a defense motion claiming she was biased against them. Prosecutors have filed a motion appealing that decision.

The defendants face potential death sentences if they’re convicted.

DAILY TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS

DAY 3 – 4/27/26

• Court is dark on Friday, April 24.

DAY 2 – 4/23/26

• LIVESTREAM: FL v. Isaiah Chance, Sean Gathright, et.al. – Day 2 | Julio Foolio Murder Trial
• David Alverson, Homicide Detective
  • Detailed the forensic processing of a homicide scene where 31 9mm shell casings and various projectile fragments were recovered, linking the gunfire to three shooters and two suspect vehicles (a Chevrolet Impala and a Chevrolet Cruze).
  • Investigators used Tesla’s “Sentry Mode” and hotel surveillance footage to track the shooters’ movements, noting that the concussion from a rifle fired by a third shooter was powerful enough to trigger a nearby car’s alarm.
  • Explained the path of the victim’s Dodge Charger, which fled under fire before coming to a stop with the victim found in a defensive position inside.
  • Evidence of widespread property damage was documented, including bullet strikes in occupied hotel rooms and several bystander vehicles.
• Two witnesses who knew Charles Jones but did not want their identities disclosed testified that they traveled to Tampa from Jacksonville for his birthday celebration.
• Camilla Bentley, Shooting victim
  • Was in Tampa for a girls’ trip and ended up at Airbnb parties and clubs with Charles Jones’ group through a friend.
  • While sitting in a car at the hotel, gunfire suddenly erupted. She narrowly escaped by driving away in the chaos.
  • She was shot in the right arm during the attack.
  • Never saw the shooters.
• Audra Agramante, Hotel guest
  • Was staying at a Tampa hotel with her husband and her daughter’s boyfriend while helping her daughter move into the University of South Florida.
  • Awakened by loud popping sounds, they realized they were gunshots.
  • A bullet struck their hotel room window.
  • Immediately called 911, the hotel and campus police out of fear.
• Officer Craig Douglas, Tampa Police Department
  • Responded to the Home 2 Suites around 6 am on June 23, 2024, after a reported homicide to help process the crime scene.
  • Checked for surveillance footage and shell casings.
  • There was a Tesla in the parking lot near where the shooting occurred and helped identify its owner.
  • Saw damage in hotel rooms consistent with gunfire.
• Pablo Gabor, Hotel guest
  • Was visiting Tampa with his family and staying at a hotel near the University of South Florida when they were awakened by loud explosion-like noises that he thought could be a bomb.
  • The children panicked and were crying.
  • Gabor’s wife felt pain in her leg and had what appeared to be a burn.
  • His son discovered a small piece of metal and a burned spot on the bedding, which they believed came from the incident.
• Aaliyah Albritton, Witnessed shooting
  • Traveled to Tampa for a weekend birthday celebration involving Airbnb parties and club outings tied to Charles Jones.
  • The group later went to a hotel, where she went inside and heard multiple “boom” sounds she believed were gunshots.
  • After the incident, she left the area and avoided the police due to being on probation.
• Officer Yanni Hansas, Tampa Police Department
  • Responded to a LaQuinta Hotel on June 23, 2024, for a report of bullet holes linked to a nearby shooting investigation.
  • Documented the scene.
  • Bullet traveled through an exterior AC unit and into the room, where it damaged bedding and left debris consistent with the bullet’s path.
• Det. Travis Oliver, Jacksonville Police Dept.
  • Testified to a 2019 homicide investigation involving 17-year-old Adrian Gaynor, who was shot multiple times on the city’s north side.
  • Shooting was later determined to have probable gang involvement and involved coordination with the department’s gang unit.
  • The case recently resulted in a plea by Hakeem Robinson for Gaynor’s murder.
• Det. Richard Needer, Jacksonville Police Dept.
  • Testified to his background in the gang investigations unit.
  • Gangs in Jacksonville are identified under Florida Statute 874
  • Local groups such as ATK, 1200 and 6 Block have rivalries and alliances; investigators track them using social media posts, music videos and field intelligence.

DAY 1 – 4/22/26

• LIVESTREAM: FL v. Isaiah Chance, Sean Gathright, et.al. – Day 1 | Julio Foolio Murder Trial
• The prosecution delivered opening statements.
  • Laid out their theory that 26-year-old Charles Jones, aka “Julio Foolio,” was the target of a planned and coordinated ambush while he was celebrating his birthday in Tampa.
  • Multiple defendants tracked and followed Jones, firing dozens of rounds into his car while he was trapped inside.
  • Murder was the result of an ongoing gang rivalry in Jacksonville, fueled by retaliation, social media taunts and “drill rap” videos that mocked rival gang members who had been killed.
  • Previewed key evidence for the jury, including surveillance footage, phone data and videos which they said will show the suspects stalking the victim, coordinating their movements and carrying out the crime in a calculated team attack.
  • The gunmen continued firing as the victim’s car tried to escape, with one defendant allegedly unloading a rifle as the vehicle sped away. The vehicle was later found riddled with bullet holes.
  • Social media posts showed Jones publicly sharing his location and birthday plans.
  • After the shooting, the suspects fled, returned to a rented Airbnb and then split up.
  • WATCH: Julio Foolio Was Stalked and Hunted Before Murder: State
• Isaiah Chance’s defense attorney delivered an opening statement.
  • The prosecution can’t prove that he was involved in the murder.
  • The state must prove an intent to kill, knowledge of the plan and some action taken to help, but there is no solid evidence for any of them.
  • This case relies on assumptions rather than clear evidence.
  • Blamed Rashad Murphy for the murder.
  • WATCH: Opening Statements Turn Into Blame Game in Julio Foolio Murder Case
• Officer Brian Godcharles, Tampa Police Department
  • Responded to a shots-fired call at the Home 2 Suites and Holiday Inn complex, where he assisted in locating and securing a large crime scene.
  • Observed a black Dodge Charger with gunshot damage and later identified a nearby Hyundai Sonata connected to witnesses.
  • Located pistol shell casings near a portico, observed vehicle debris consistent with a possible minor collision and confirmed bullet damage to hotel windows, which indicated shots were fired toward both vehicles and the building.
  • WATCH: Grisly Discovery: Officer Details Finding Julio Foolio Dead at Scene of Fatal Shooting
• Officer Zachary Conaway, Tampa Police Department
  • Responded to the Home 2 Suites/Holiday Inn complex after reports of gunfire and suspicious vehicles.
  • Officers were briefed beforehand about potential threats involving visiting rapper Julio Foolio and possible rival groups.
  • Officers located two additional victims who suffered multiple gunshot wounds and required immediate medical attention.
  • Victims were initially uncooperative or limited in identifying suspects at the scene.
  • WATCH: Officer Shows Shocking Images From Deadly Hotel Scene Tied to Julio Foolio
• Det. David Alverson, Tampa Police Department
  • Coordinated duties with other detectives.
  • Reviewed surveillance footage showing suspects fleeing a vehicle and entering the hotel.
  • Followed a blood trail from the car through the lobby up to the third floor, where additional victims were found.
  • Detailed extensive physical evidence at the scene, including 9mm shell casings, bullet damage and a fluid trail from a damaged vehicle to the hotel entrance.