Judge Ousted from Foolio Murder Trial Amid Bias Allegations

Judge Michelle Sisco is under scrutiny for her conduct during the widely covered trial of Julio Foolio’s murder. The case concluded last October with Alicia Andrews convicted of manslaughter after an eight-day proceeding. Following the verdict, Andrews’ lawyer, Jeremy McLymont, requested a delay in sentencing and called for Sisco’s removal, citing “hostile remarks” and signs of bias throughout the trial. A recent filing shared on X/My Mixtapez confirmed the judge’s disqualification, paving the way for the defense to pursue a retrial.

According to Meghann Cuniff of Legal Affairs and Trials, McLymont emphasized, “Everyone deserves a fair trial, including Ms. Andrews. We strongly believe these circumstances warrant a new trial following additional litigation at either level.” To support his claims, he submitted 16 video clips intended to illustrate Sisco’s demeanor in ways that transcripts alone could not capture. “While past retrials have been based solely on transcripts, our case presents unique challenges that necessitate the visual evidence we’ve gathered,” he explained.

Allegations and Evidence

During the trial, Andrews asserted that she had been pressured by her ex-boyfriend and co-defendant, Isiah Chance, to participate in the murder amid claims of domestic abuse. Prosecutors countered that both acted as lookouts during the incident that resulted in 26-year-old Foolio’s death. Detective Juan Ramos of the Tampa Police Department highlighted phone records tracking Andrews and Chance from Jacksonville to Tampa. “They made no other stops — suggesting they were in Tampa solely for tracking and killing the victim,” he noted.

Defense attorney Life Malcolm stressed that proximity did not equal complicity: “Perception does not reflect reality. Just because she was near individuals with harmful intentions does not mean she shared those thoughts or knew their plans.” He added, “She was simply visiting her boyfriend and inadvertently found herself in a perilous situation.”

Investigators continue to examine other individuals connected to the case, including Rashad Murphy, Sean Gathright, and Davion Murphy. Convictions could carry severe penalties, including potential capital punishment. The developments in this case have heightened scrutiny of courtroom conduct and highlighted ongoing questions about fairness and accountability in high-profile criminal trials.