TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Four individuals found guilty of the murder of Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio are slated to receive their sentences this Monday.
On May 15, a jury suggested life imprisonment without any chance of parole, opting not to pursue the death penalty.
Isaiah Chance, Sean Gathright, Davion Murphy, and Rashad Murphy were convicted just a week prior to the jury’s recommendation. The conviction relates to the June 2024 murder of Julio Foolio, whose real name was Charles Jones.
Prosecutors said Jones was in Tampa celebrating his 26th birthday when the four men followed him to several locations before ambushing him in a hotel parking lot on McKinley Drive and opening fire.
Jones died at the scene.
During closing arguments, prosecutors told jurors the killing was tied to an ongoing gang feud.
“There is a gang war that is the motive in this case, and the mountain of evidence that you have in front of you shows that each and every one of those defendants is guilty of everything that they are charged with,” a prosecutor told the jury.
A jury found all four defendants guilty of first-degree murder and related charges.
Three of the men remained stoic as the verdicts were read. Gathright appeared emotional, shaking and lowering his head as his co-defendant, Rashad Murphy, was led away in handcuffs.
On May 22, a fifth defendant, Alicia Andrews of Jacksonville and tried separately, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter.
Prosecutors said she coordinated logistics that helped facilitate the killing.
Monday’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the Hillsborough County Courthouse.