Foolio Killer CLAPS After Judges Acknowledges Foolio's Actions in Gang War - Sentencing Recap

[00:00:00] Speaker 1: I'm not a lawyer, but today was the formal sentencing for the Julio-Fulio defendants. And if you're thinking, I thought they already got sentenced, you're not crazy, but also know they hadn't been formally sentenced yet, follow me. So basically, we left off about a month ago with the jurors recommending that the defendants be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole instead of giving them the death penalty. So that was technically just a recommendation to the judge. And so today, the judge had to formally sentence the defendants. And it also was the last opportunity for the defendants to give words, at least in this phase of their case. And three of the four spoke up. Starting with Sean Gathright, who decided to read something he put together. [00:00:43] Speaker 2: As long as it's respectful. Yes, ma'am. All right. [00:00:50] Speaker 3: Here we are being sentenced for the murder of Charles Jones on the day he was killed two years later. Now, some may say this is just a coincidence, but I believe that nothing has been, is, or ever will be left up to chance, and that everything in this world is predestined. Everyone wonders how and why I ended up in a situation like this, despite growing up with a loving family, nice home, multiple opportunities, and promising potential. Some act as if it is impossible or unheard of for someone like me to find themselves in a situation like this. But in reality, it is much more common than we think. It has been happening long before today. There is a parable Jesus shared with the world called the prodigal son, a son who had the nice home, loving family, servants. He had his every need catered to. Yet he still chose to take his inheritance and venture off to a far country where he indulged in prodigal living. He soon ran down on money, and a famine had struck the land he was in. And while that would have been enough signs for most to turn back, his eyes still hadn't opened, and he still hadn't come to his senses. Hungry and desperate, he found a job on a farm feeding pigs. And during these times, pigs and what they were fed were deemed as the filthiest, most impure, lowest of the low, and worst of the worst. But he was so hungry and so blind that the food he fed the pigs looked appetizing. That's when he finally came to his senses. He realized that even the servants back home had enough food to spare, yet here he is dying of hunger amongst pigs. After this eye-opening experience, he decided to return home. He was ashamed and planned to go to his father to ask for forgiveness and to become one of his servants because he no longer felt worthy to be called his son. But when he returned, his father embraced him with love and compassion, dressed him in the finest clothes and jewels and celebrated his son's return with a feast, exclaiming, "This son of mine was dead and has come back to life. He was lost and is now found." It is not uncommon for good young men who come from good families to get lost in this world. When scholars and historians look back on our times, I believe they will label us as the age of discontentment. And those of us who come from privileged upbringings are actually disadvantaged to the fight against it. Because of the high expectations. Any opportunities and options we grow up with, we don't know what struggle looks like or how hard our parents had to work to provide these opportunities for us. We don't know what we have until it's gone, and it often happens after we go through our own eye-opening experience. Never in history has there been a time like now where there is so much available and so easy to consume, but we still demand more and it is clearly seen in my generation. A study done by the National Institute of Mental Health provided evidence showing that the brain doesn't reach full maturity until 26-27 years old for men, about eight or nine years older than my time during the offense. But society knows this, and that's why laws set age requirements on certain activities, amenities, and substances as a way to protect adolescent adults. Yet those same laws don't extend to an adolescent adult when they are charged with crimes and allows them to be prosecuted to the fullest extent, regardless of their age. Your Honor, it is heartbreaking that an 18-year-old can't rent a car or a hotel or buy a home, but can be sentenced to death or life in prison without the possibility of parole. They can't purchase alcohol or tobacco, but can be sentenced to death or life in prison without the possibility of parole. They can't work certain jobs or even go on a cruise without a chaperone, but can be sentenced to death or life in prison without the possibility of parole. I am a prime example of these circumstances. At 18 years old, with no prior convictions, I was charged, indicted, and had to face a death penalty. My point is, society views anyone under the age of 21 as not being mentally mature enough to participate or partake in these activities, amenities, and substances. Because certain substances listed can negatively impact or stunt the growth of a developing brain, while other activities and amenities have restrictions due to the lack of impulse and behavioral control or lack of situational wellness at times with teens. It is very simple to understand that our brains have not developed enough, that we live in a society where someone under the age of 21 can be sentenced to death or life in prison without parole. We leave no room for growth, rehabilitation, or redemption. We don't account for the fact that they weren't a fully developed adult and their judgment and decision-making abilities weren't developed either. I believe it is cruel for someone under the age of 21 to be sentenced to life without parole or death before they're even old enough to be fully emancipated or to fully comprehend what consequences their actions carry. I say all this because I want to see change, change for those whose fates were sealed long before they were born, change for the prodigal sons and daughters who ventured off too far in the world and got lost, change for those who haven't reached full maturity or unlocked their full potential as adults, change for the ones who never had the option to go around, over, or underneath or straight through their obstacles. In spite of my current circumstances, I still trust in all those biblical promises. I believe that I am exactly where God planned for me to be, a plan he created long before I was born. It is also my belief that this chapter of my life will propel me to a much greater purpose than what we see here today, because my journey has just begun. Thank you. [00:07:00] Speaker 2: Thank you, Mr. Gathright. [00:07:01] Speaker 1: I have a lot of thoughts about what he said. But the one realization that kind of blew my mind is that some of these defendants aren't even old enough to rent a car. And yet, they'll now be spending the rest of their lives in prison. When you think about that, that's crazy and heartbreaking. Next up, Isaiah Chance gave words and he expressed that he was nervous about speaking and that he thinks it's unfair that he didn't get a separate trial like his former girlfriend, Alicia Andrews, got. I wanted to say something to you directly. [00:07:29] Speaker 4: No, that's fine. [00:07:30] Speaker 2: And you're you're more than welcome to disagree with any way I may have ruled in the case. You just can't. Repeat the facts. Yeah. Yeah, you don't need to repeat the facts. But you know, you just can't be rude to me. That's all I'm asking. I understand. You can express disagreement. I have thick skin and they'll be in the pellet review of everything I did. But just don't be disrespectful because then I'm going to have to tell you to sit down and it becomes a thing. So let's just not have a thing. [00:07:59] Speaker 4: Yes, ma'am. All right. Okay. So thank you. You are all right. So Judge Cisco, unlike the rest of my co-defendants here, they all are charged with being the alleged shooters and have the same verdicts. However, me on the other hand, the one who was charged with me for playing the same alleged role as I gets found not guilty for what I am charged with. Alicia's case didn't contradict the alleged shooters versus the state case. I don't even think it's possible it could have. However, it contradicts mine being the only principle here because both of our jury's decisions contradicts each other. The only nuance is I went to trial with three other people who have the same verdict as I and she didn't. Alicia gets found not guilty for my current charge. It wasn't any coincidence. Basically what I'm saying is, Alicia, in the state that we played, that's getting into the facts about the case. [00:09:02] Speaker 2: Well, that's okay. If I'm hearing you correctly, you are taking issue with the fact that you're, I don't know if she's your current or former girlfriend, but she went to trial. She was convicted of a manslaughter and got 15 years and now you're here facing life and that I would assume that seems unjust to you. [00:09:21] Speaker 4: Is that correct? Yeah, that's highly unjust. Yeah, that's highly unjust. I've seen Suzy Lopez on the news this morning and she was saying that justice has been served. Absolutely, if you see it from that perspective, but everything that's a perspective is based on perception. So, if you say that justice, okay, but when you look at it, if you put me and Alicia up on side by side, like that's unjust, like it's injustice. Like it doesn't make sense, like it's contrary to my verdict. Like her jury made their decision, my jury made, well our jury made their decision, but it contradicts like both of our verdicts. The only difference is like I went to trial with my co-defendants and she went to trial by herself. So, I feel like personally, I got guilt more so by association than like participation. Um, that's all I really wanted to say, um, Judge. It's all right because this is way more harder than I anticipated, but that's all I don't think. [00:10:39] Speaker 2: Sure. Sure. And you probably know when Ms. Andrews went to trial, she basically pinned it all on you. [00:10:46] Speaker 4: Absolutely. Yeah, I know. [00:10:48] Speaker 1: Now, Judge, why was it necessary to add that part? [00:10:52] Speaker 4: Um, you know when, as I sit with my lawyer, like he's very, like he's probably shivering over there because he don't know what I'm going to say out of my mouth. [00:11:02] Speaker 2: Right. Right. He's very concerned. [00:11:05] Speaker 4: Definitely. Um, you're, a lot of people don't know, but before you go to trial, um, you try to be optimistic. Um, but everything is done strategically. So, how the lawyers optimize what they're going to say or what they're going to do, they do it with the client. You know, I'm not saying what she's saying was wrong or not wrong or what, or what he wanted her to say or what, or what she said, you know, but, uh, that's all I do. Um, I want to say something to like Jacksonville or to, to my city, man, it ain't worth it boy. Like, it ain't worth it. Like me being a rapper from my city and Julio being a rapper from our city. It ain't worth it. Like my mouth getting dry. Sorry. Like the dissing, the beefing, the shooting. Like, for what? Like, for what? Like, for what? Like, when you sitting in your cell alone, cold, lonely and hell not good. Um, everybody leave you. Like nobody here for you. Like the ones, the ones that's your ride or die, your girlfriends, whoever you love, the only person there for you is your mother. And maybe like one friend, maybe, but it ain't worth it though, bro. It ain't worth it. I was 21 years old facing the death penalty. I never, ever, the only, my only interactions with law enforcement was traffic tickets. Wake up next morning, I'm facing the death penalty. That's how I quit. Life can change. It ain't worth it, bro. That's all. I'm sorry if I was nervous. Sorry. [00:13:06] Speaker 2: No, it's okay, Mr. Chance. Thank you for saying that. [00:13:09] Speaker 4: Yes, ma'am. [00:13:12] Speaker 1: And then Davion Murphy gave words. [00:13:15] Speaker 5: As I was saying, you look different from up here. To God be the glory all the time. And he'll forever had a last social in our situation. As I said in my interrogation interview, I'll be judged for it and I'll forever retain my innocence. And I just want to say to the Gen Z generation, change your life and do something productive with your life. Because, and it's ridiculous, it ain't worth it. And, uh, like, like, like it was said before, this is not my first rodeo down this road. So, is it just, it's looking like forever. But, I'll forever keep a positive mind state and a positive mindset. But, to God be the glory, forever. And, that's it. That's it. [00:14:18] Speaker 2: Thank you, Ms. Murphy. No worries. [00:14:20] Speaker ?: No worries. No worries. [00:14:22] Speaker 2: No worries. [00:14:23] Speaker ?: All right. [00:14:24] Speaker 2: Mr. Rashad Murphy, anything you want to say at all? You don't have to. Just giving you the final chance. [00:14:30] Speaker 3: I love everybody. [00:14:31] Speaker 2: I love everybody. Okay. Okay. All right. Very good. [00:14:36] Speaker 1: All right. And from there, Judge Sisko gave some words before handing down the sentence. [00:14:42] Speaker 2: So, a couple things, um, before I pass sentence. Um, first of all, I want to commend the lawyers again. I know I did at the close of the trial, but, um, this was a massive case. I mean, it's by far the longest case, the most intricate case, the most difficult case that I've ever handled in almost 24 years. Um, and I know for you all as well, it had to have been, um, I can't even imagine the Herculean task of all the evidence and sorting through it. Um, and you all always conducted yourselves with the utmost professionalism. Um, and I just want to again, express my gratitude for that. How seriously everyone took the case. Um, I never ever have to worry about any of the lawyers before me ever, um, not abiding by the rules of professional conduct. I never have to worry about you being disrespectful to me or to witnesses or to each other. I never have to worry about the attorneys misleading me on the law. Um, and it's rare that that happens, but when it does, and it has happened, um, recently. Did that feel like judge Cisco was being shady or no? It does make me very grateful for lawyers that know what they're doing and that, that practice, uh, with the utmost professionalism. So I do want to just thank you all for that so much. I also want to comment about law enforcement's work. Um, I don't know if detective Ramos is here. I don't see him here. Um, that was one heck of a job. I mean, that was unbelievable. I mean, I've seen a lot of good homicide detectives testify over the years from TPD or HCSO. Um, that was remarkable and particularly in line of the fact that it was his first time as a lead detective. I mean, and he had an encyclopedic knowledge of this case. I mean, it was, and it, I'm talking about massive amounts of information that he could recall instantly. And, um, not every law enforcement agency and not every homicide detective solves this case. Not everyone does, but he did. I mean, he was tenacious and thorough and so impressive. And, um, if I were at TPD, I'd give him some kind of award for the job that he did because it was really, really good. He made the whole agency look good. [00:17:08] Speaker 1: Is it not awkward to talk about how good of a job law enforcement did capturing these defendants in front of these defendants? She really just told them law enforcement did such a good job capturing y'all that they deserve an award. I guess it's really only awkward for the defendants. [00:17:24] Speaker 2: And really the cooperation amongst law enforcement in the state of Florida, it's really remarkable. I want to commend the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, the gang unit. I think it's a 12 member unit. And specifically, I want to note Detective Nader and Detective Drabak. Um, they again, you know, worked tirelessly on this case. They worked hand in glove with, uh, Detective Ramos. And again, Detective Drabak having the wherewithal to know to go into the Walmart and pull the video. Like that, that's good old fashioned detective work. And, you know, Mr. Jones did not deserve to die for what he did or what he drilled, what he, the drill rap videos he made. But goodness gracious, going and desecrating the grave site of a murdered relative is, you don't deserve to be killed for that. But you just increased your odds that it was going to happen. And that's the truth. That is the truth. So, I'm not at all again stating that he deserved it. [00:18:23] Speaker 1: Y'all, Davion Murphy clapped. Look at his attorney stopping him. I'm not at all again stating that he deserved it. [00:18:31] Speaker 2: It's just shocking. It's shocking to me. And I do have great sympathy for the defendants. You all, for the most part, are young men. And some of you have children. Um, and now for what? For what? Now, you're looking at life in prison. And what was it for? And I really appreciate Mr. Gathright and Mr. Chance really speaking to your community. Like, these decisions that are made can have unalterable changes that you can't come back from. There's no coming back from them. You either end up dead or incarcerated for life. And I feel like, you know, you gentlemen had much more to offer this world. You did and you do. And so I hope that you continue to make choices. And then you realize you do have value and you can contribute. And you started today by speaking to the members of your community, particularly the younger men, that this is not the way to go. It's not. It's not. Because look, we have Charles Jones is dead and four people who will now spend life in prison. And again, all for what? For what? Nothing over nothing. Turf warfare, drill rap videos. So, I just want you all to know that. And I really do hope that, at least in the community of Jacksonville, that there are serious changes. I don't know why the scourge of gang violence has cropped up. I don't. I have no idea. I really am not familiar with Jacksonville. I don't know the whys, but I hope that the community does come together to end it because Jacksonville just can't keep losing so many young men cut down in the prime of their lives. [00:20:26] Speaker ?: I can't. I can't do it. [00:20:27] Speaker 2: I can't do it. I can't do it. I can't do it. I can't do it. Continue doing it. Time for sentencing. Mr. Chance, I'm going to start first. I'm going to adjudicate you guilty. On count one, I will adjudicate you guilty, sentence you to life without the possibility of parole. Mr. Davion Murphy, I will adjudicate you guilty of first degree premeditated murder, sentence you to life in prison without the possibility of parole. And finally, Mr. Rashad Murphy, I will adjudicate you guilty of murder in the first degree, sentence you to life in prison without the possibility of parole. I do wish you gentlemen the best. I really do to make the most of your lives going forward. And you do have 30 days to appeal the judgment and sentence of this court. All right. Thank you all. We're concluded. Court adjourned. [00:21:24] Speaker 1: So all four of the defendants have now been formally sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. And not to sound like somebody's mama or auntie, but also, it's not worth it. Please don't go do nothing. That's going to have to make me make an "I'm not a lawyer but" video about you. Make good choices. Okay?