Julio Foolio murder: Trial of first suspect delayed until October

Trial of Alicia Andrews in Julio Foolio murder case

The first trial for the murder of Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio begins Monday with jury selection in the case against Alicia Andrews. She?s one of five defendants in the case. FOX 13?s Regina Gonzalez reports.

TAMPA, Fla. - Jury selection was set to Monday in Tampa in the trial of Alicia Andrews, the first of five defendants charged in the death of Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio, but it's now on hold after a turn of events in court.

The backstory:

Prosecutors say Andrews acted as a lookout in the early morning hours of June 23, 2024, tracking the 26-year-old artist, whose real name was Charles Jones, as he celebrated his birthday in Tampa before he was cornered in a hotel parking lot.

That’s where investigators say three gunmen opened fire, killing Jones and injuring three others.

Video shows suspects with guns shooting at rapper Julio Foolio. 

Surveillance video recorded three shooters firing at his vehicle in the parking lot, killing him.

New surveillance video in Julio Foolio's murder

Surveillance video from the night Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio was shot and killed in Tampa played in a courtroom as three suspects faced a judge Thursday.

Jones was a part of the 6 Block Gang, according to Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw. TPD said the feud between 6 Block and its rival gangs, ATK and 1200, spanned over a decade with dozens of murders by and against both sides.

PREVIOUS: Who killed Julio Foolio? What we know about the suspects in the Jacksonville rapper's murder

Dig deeper:

Andrews faces charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. While prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty in her case, her co-defendants are facing that possibility.

Pictured: Alicia Andrews in court.

During a pretrial hearing last week, Judge Michelle Sisco confirmed that both the prosecution and defense are ready to move forward.

Another key ruling came when the judge decided Andrews’ legal team cannot introduce domestic violence or claim duress as part of her defense — citing Florida law on premeditated first-degree murder.

The judge noted, however, that the defense could raise the issue if the prosecution’s case opens the door.

What's next:

Jury selection did not begin Monday as planned, as it was discovered that the lead prosecutor was in the hospital.

An emergency hearing took place Monday afternoon, during which the judge granted the state's motion to continue the case until Oct. 20.