TAMPA, Fla. (Court TV) — A Florida woman facing trial on charges she murdered a rising rap star was denied bond on Friday even after testimony revealed details about domestic violence and gang dynamics, despite a judge’s recent ruling that such evidence cannot be used at her upcoming trial.
Alicia Andrews is charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the death of rapper Charles Jones, who was known as “Julio Foolio.” The Jacksonville rapper was shot and killed on June 23, 2024, in what prosecutors have described as an ongoing rival gang war.
Alicia Andrews appears in court for a pre-trial detention hearing on Aug. 29, 2025. (Court TV)
Andrews was previously dealt a setback when Judge Michelle Sisco ruled her attorneys wouldn’t be allowed to introduce evidence of domestic violence at her trial. Under Florida law, defendants charged with premeditated first-degree murder are not eligible to use duress as a defense, making any alleged domestic violence irrelevant to the murder case.
However, during Friday’s bond hearing, Andrews’ defense presented testimony aimed at showing she was a victim of domestic violence by her boyfriend and co-defendant, Isaiah Chance, and that the circumstances surrounding the case have changed since her initial detention.
Andrews’ best friend testified that Andrews sent her photos and text messages showing injuries from alleged abuse by Chance. In one February 2024 text message read in court, Andrews wrote that Chance “almost killed me.” A March 2024 text exchange between Robinson and Chance was also presented, in which Chance said they were “both wrong.”
Andrews’ mother, testifying by phone, confirmed her daughter lived at home and worked multiple jobs, including at Amazon, as a substitute teacher for special needs children, and providing facial care services. She said she was unaware of any gang affiliations and would be able to monitor Andrews if she were released.
“She wouldn’t hurt a fly,” said Andrews’ father, also testifying by phone. “Alicia has never been in trouble. Never harmed anyone, never been in trouble. She’s not a violent person.”
The hearing also revealed new details about gang dynamics. A Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office detective testified about a “fallout” between Chance and the ATK gang in November 2023.
Prosecutors argued that the new information doesn’t meet the legal standard for reconsideration of pretrial detention, saying the domestic violence allegations and gang dynamics were known at the time of the original hearing.
Andrews is charged with Jones’ murder along with Chance and three other men. While prosecutors concede that Andrews is not in a gang, they say that her four co-defendants are. Prosecutors say phone records show that Andrews traveled with her co-defendants to Tampa, where they surveilled and tracked the victim to three locations before killing him.
Andrews, who has pleaded not guilty, was originally scheduled to stand trial in August; however, proceedings were delayed until October due to illness.
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