Alicia Andrews’ longtime best friend took the witness stand last week in Tampa, delivering emotional and potentially pivotal testimony in the ongoing murder trial tied to the June 2024 killing of Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio, whose real name was Charles Jones.
The anonymous witness, whose identity has been protected for safety reasons, described Andrews as “one of my bestest friends,” a relationship spanning over a decade. Her testimony offered a detailed look into Andrews’ awareness of the gang tensions that prosecutors allege led to Foolio’s murder.
During direct examination by Assistant State Attorney Michelle Doherty, the witness confirmed Andrews had told her that her boyfriend, 25-year-old Isaiah Chance, was “tied in or affiliated within a gang” — specifically Jacksonville’s ATK gang.
When asked if she remembered which gang Andrews mentioned, the witness replied, “I believe it’s NHG. And yes, that’s a gang in Jacksonville.”
She also affirmed her familiarity with Foolio, whose real name was Charles Jones. “I’ve known of Julio Foolio since like 2016,” she said. “So I would say going on a decade.”
The witness read aloud portions of text messages exchanged between her and Andrews as far back as January 2021 — messages prosecutors have characterized as evidence of animosity toward Foolio.
“Girl, I don’t like Foolio, LMFAO, ugly ass bitch, he need to die,” Andrews allegedly wrote. The witness admitted replying, “I can’t stand him either.”
These exchanges occurred more than three years before Foolio was fatally shot outside a Tampa Holiday Inn on June 23, 2024, while celebrating his 26th birthday. The conversation also referenced Jacksonville’s deadly gang rivalries.
According to prosecutors, Andrews texted her friend about local rappers and rival hoods, including “out east,” a Jacksonville neighborhood associated with the 1200 gang. When asked to clarify, the witness said, “That’s a hood in Jacksonville… more so 1200.”
Andrews allegedly also mentioned another rapper, La Papa, saying he “from 1200,” and referred to Foolio in the exchange, writing, “like that FR Foolio,” which the witness confirmed was “a reference to Julio Foolio, the victim in this case.”
The prosecution used the testimony to paint a picture of Andrews as someone deeply aware of the violent gang feud surrounding her boyfriend and the victim.
“She specifically told me that she was aware he was in a gang,” the witness testified. “She was aware that he was tied in or affiliated within a gang, yes.”
Prosecutors argue this awareness — combined with cell phone data, surveillance footage, and digital evidence — proves Andrews knowingly aided in a coordinated ambush.
Assistant State Attorney Scott Harmon described the killing as a “meticulously planned ambush” and a “hellish onslaught,” alleging Andrews acted as a “spotter,” tracking Foolio’s location and relaying it to the gunmen.
During cross-examination, defense attorney Jeremy McLymont sought to minimize the weight of the text messages, pressing the witness to admit that she didn’t truly wish harm on Foolio.
“I didn’t mean it literally,” the witness said. “It was ignorant gossip. We were just talking.”
She added that Foolio himself “was one of the top instigators in Jacksonville when it came to drill rap,” and that statements like “he need to die” were “sadly normal” in that culture.
The defense has argued that Andrews, 22, was “in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Life Malcolm’s attorney insists she is not affiliated with any gang and believes the Tampa trip was a chance to reconcile with Chance, her on-again, off-again boyfriend.
“She booked the Airbnb through Instagram,” Malcolm said, “but had no idea others would be joining them.”
The defense further notes that Andrews was not wearing the all-black clothing reportedly worn by the masked shooters, and that “no physical evidence” connects her to the murder weapons.
Andrews is the first of five people charged in Foolio’s killing — and the only defendant not facing the death penalty. Prosecutors allege she acted as a “spotter”, helping her boyfriend and three other men locate the rapper in Tampa before the deadly ambush.
Evidence presented so far includes:
- Cell phone data placing Andrews near the scene.
- Proof she booked the Airbnb where the group stayed.
- Phone records showing she traveled from Jacksonville to Tampa alongside Chance.
- Surveillance footage reportedly showing their car following Foolio.
- Deleted messages and Cash App transfers recovered from her phone and iCloud.
The four co-defendants — Chance, Sean Gathright, Rashad Murphy, and Davion Murphy — are set to go on trial next year and could face the death penalty if convicted.
Assistant State Attorney Scott Harmon told jurors the killing was “a meticulously planned ambush” carried out by rival gangs ATK and 1200, who allegedly united to target Foolio, a member of the 6 Block gang.
Prosecutors believe Andrews’ lack of gang affiliation made her a “perfect cover,” helping the group avoid police attention. Investigators say the shooters used modified AR-style rifles with brass catchers to prevent leaving shell casings behind.
Defense attorney Life Malcolm insists Andrews is innocent, describing her as a young woman “caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
He argues that Andrews thought the Tampa trip was a chance to reconcile with her boyfriend, not participate in a crime. He also notes there’s no physical evidence linking her to the shooting, and that she wasn’t dressed like the masked gunmen seen in surveillance footage.
In a pretrial ruling, the judge blocked the defense from introducing domestic violence allegations Andrews made against Chance, ruling they weren’t relevant to her mindset during the crime.
The trial is on its fifth day, and jurors are hearing from forensic experts, detectives, and digital analysts.
If convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, Andrews faces life in prison.
Foolio’s murder shocked Florida’s hip-hop scene and reignited conversations about Jacksonville’s deadly gang violence. As testimony continues, the question remains: was Alicia Andrews a willing participant in the ambush — or an unsuspecting young woman caught in the crossfire of a feud she never meant to join?
