The Florida judge presiding over the trial for a defendant accused of killing rapper Julio Foolio said the behavior of the defense is “inexcusable” on Wednesday.
Alicia Andrews is charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Charles Jones, who utilized the stage name Julio Foolio. She is one of five individuals charged in relation to Jones’ killing, and the first to go to trial.
The defense invoked the rule of sequestration, which prevents witnesses from consuming information about the trial and discussing the case.
Assistant State Attorney Scott Harmon asked the defense if they had only informed one witness about the rule, which the defense confirmed.
“The failure of the defense to tell their own witnesses not to talk about the case is inexcusable, and that’s a matter of record,” Judge Michelle Sisco said.
Why It Matters
Jones was fatally shot in the parking lot of the Holiday Inn Tampa North in June of last year.
Sean Gathright, Isaiah Chance, Rashad Murphy and Davion Murphy are also charged in connection with the fatal shooting.
Jones was a member of the gang 6 Block, which had a rivalry with gangs ATK and 1200, of which Andrews’ codefendants were members, prosecutors allege. Andrews is not accused of being in a gang.
Prosecutors allege that Andrews traveled to Tampa with the codefendants, where she surveilled Jones and provided information about his location to the gunmen. The defense alleges that Andrews was on a trip with her boyfriend, Chance, and did not know the remaining codefendants, and no physical evidence links her to the killing.
What To Know
Harmon asked the defense to advise all of their witnesses about the sequestration “as they’re obligated to do when they invoke the rule.”
“Unnecessary, the way counsel is speaking to defense, it’s been happening since day one. It’s very unnecessary, your honor,” defense attorney Erian White said.
Sisco said defense invoked the rule of sequestration.
“I understand that,” White said.
Sisco replied, “Actually, I’m making a statement. I’m not looking for responses.”
What People Are Saying
Defense attorney Erian White, in court on Wednesday: “We are professionals, just like every other attorney in this courtroom. The bigger point that I was making is that the way that Mr. Harmon has been speaking to this side of the table is unprofessional, it’s disrespectful. He’s done it in front of the jury as well, and there has not been any attempt by the court to intervene in that, so I want to make sure that it’s on the record that it’s inappropriate. The rise in tone is unnecessary, and it’s disrespectful, and it’s inappropriate.”
Judge Michelle Sisco, in court on Wednesday: “Everything that’s happened in this trial is on the record. Everything’s been videotaped, the conduct of everybody involved.”
What Happens Next
Andrews’ trial is ongoing. Her codefendants will be tried separately in the spring of next year, FOX 13 reported.
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