The 4 convicted men now face possible death sentences as the penalty phase begins Monday.
A jury in Tampa, Florida found 4 men guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder today, May 12, in the killing of rapper Charles Jones, known professionally as Julio Foolio. The verdict came after more than seven hours of deliberations, and all 4 convicted defendants now face potential death sentences as the case moves into its penalty phase beginning Monday.
The 4 men convicted are:
- Isaiah Chance, 23, of Jacksonville
- Sean Gathright, 20, of Jacksonville
- Rashad Murphy, 32, of Jacksonville
- Davion Murphy, 29, of Jacksonville
The same jury that delivered the guilty verdicts will return Monday to begin determining whether any of the 4 men should be sentenced to death.
Who was Julio Foolio?
Charles Jones was a rising rapper from Jacksonville who performed under the name Julio Foolio. He was 26 years old on June 23, 2024, the night he was murdered. He had traveled to Tampa to celebrate his birthday and had publicly shared his location and plans on social media in the days leading up to the trip. Prosecutors argued that those posts gave his killers exactly the information they needed to track and ambush him.
Jones was shot multiple times at a Home 2 Suites hotel in Tampa. A medical examiner testified that a fatal gunshot wound to the chest passed through his heart, lungs, and aorta, causing rapid blood loss. Three other people were also injured in the attack.
What the prosecution proved
The case centered on a yearslong gang war between Jones’ gang, known as 6 Block, and two rival Jacksonville factions called Ace’s Top Killers (ATK) and 1200. All 4 convicted defendants are members of either ATK or 1200.
Prosecutors presented surveillance footage showing the four men traveling together from Jacksonville to Tampa specifically to find Jones. Gathright, Rashad Murphy, and Davion Murphy were identified as the gunmen who opened fire on vehicles associated with Jones in the hotel parking lot. Chance, along with his girlfriend Alicia Andrews, served as scouts, tracking the victim’s location before the attack was carried out.
Investigators built the case using social media records, cell phone data, hotel surveillance cameras, DNA evidence, and location tracking. Sean Gathright’s DNA was recovered from tape found on a rifle connected to the shooting. Text messages and Instagram activity documented the group coordinating movements in the days before the murder.
What happened in court today
With the penalty phase now underway, Sean Gathright addressed the jury directly today. He told them he wanted to take responsibility for his actions and acknowledged the weight of what had happened. He expressed remorse to the victim’s family and told the court he had been participating in rehabilitation programs while incarcerated. His sister also testified, and Gathright visibly wept as she spoke.
Judge Michelle Sisco is presiding over the trial and will oversee the penalty proceedings.
Where Alicia Andrews stands
Andrews, 23, is the only woman among the 5 people arrested in connection with the murder. She was convicted in October 2025 on a manslaughter charge and currently faces up to 15 years in prison. Her legal team is now seeking a new trial, arguing that Judge Sisco made multiple consequential rulings that unfairly shaped the outcome of her case.
The Florida Second District Court of Appeals removed Sisco from Andrews’ sentencing proceedings in January. Andrews is due back in court on May 22, when a decision on whether she will receive a new trial is expected.