The already tense murder trial of Alicia Andrews — one of five defendants accused in the 2024 killing of Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio (born Charles Jones) — was briefly interrupted on October 31, 2025, after two male spectators claimed they were being photographed without consent inside a Hillsborough County courtroom.
The incident unfolded during Day 6 of the trial, presided over by Judge Michelle Sisco, who temporarily halted proceedings to address the disruption. The two men, identified in court as Mr. Alfred and Mr. Brandon, approached the bench to express alarm over what they described as unauthorized photography by others seated nearby.
“Someone taking photographs of you? I was notified and I think he just took a picture of me,” one man told the judge.
“Okay, Mr. Alfred, did you see someone taking your photo or what you believed was someone taking your photo?” Judge Sisco asked.
“Yes,That dude right there… both of them actually.Alfred replied.
“ So you believe they were taking photographs of you?” Judge Sisco asked.
“I know he did,” Alfred continued. “I was sitting right there and I just looked over there and he was right there taking a picture… and then when I looked again, I seen him do it again.”
The men clarified that they were not connected to the case or any of the participants, emphasizing that they were simply members of the public attending the trial.
Judge Sisco quickly reminded everyone that photography or recording is strictly prohibited in Florida courtrooms without authorization.
“Due to the nature of this case, no more photos,” she ordered firmly, underscoring that violations could result in removal from the courtroom or contempt proceedings.
No arrests were made, but the interruption highlighted the heightened security surrounding the trial — a reflection of the underlying gang tensions tied to Julio Foolio’s death and the online notoriety of the case.
Alicia Andrews, 21, faces first-degree murder and conspiracy charges in connection with Foolio’s fatal ambush outside a Holiday Inn in Tampa on June 23, 2024. Prosecutors allege that Andrews acted as a lookout, using social media to track the rapper’s location during his 26th birthday celebration before tipping off the alleged shooters: Sean Gathright, Rashad Murphy, and Davion Murphy.
Foolio was killed in a hail of gunfire that also wounded three others. Authorities link the killing to a longstanding rivalry between Jacksonville street factions, which has fueled years of deadly feuds memorialized in local rap music.
This week’s proceedings have been emotionally charged. Earlier testimony from Foolio’s friend, Adam Norris, left many in tears as he described the chaos of the ambush. Surveillance footage, cellphone data, and arrest videos have formed the crux of the prosecution’s case.
Judge Sisco, known for her firm courtroom control, previously rebuked the defense for witness-handling issues, calling their failure to sequester properly “inexcusable.”
Andrews has testified that she suffered domestic abuse at the hands of co-defendant Isaiah Chance, suggesting she was manipulated into involvement — a claim prosecutors have challenged vigorously.
The trial is being livestreamed on Court TV and is expected to continue through early November, barring additional disruptions. The other four suspects — Gathright, Rashad Murphy, Davion Murphy, and Chance — face separate trials in 2026, with the state seeking the death penalty for some defendants.
The courtroom photography incident has since sparked viral debate online, with clips spreading on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, raising broader questions about public access, privacy, and safety in high-profile gang-related trials.
As Judge Sisco warned on Friday, “This courtroom will remain open to the public — but not at the expense of order and safety.”
