Julio Foolio‘s accused killer Rashad Murphy is exploring the possibility of using an insanity defense in a bid to avoid the possibility of being handed the death penalty.
Murphy, one of five people accused of killing the Florida rapper, has had his attorney file a motion to be evaluated by a forensic neuropsychologist.
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Such a move is a suggestion that they are going to attempt the rarely successful insanity defense.
If granted by the judge, Murphy will undergo an interview with a psychiatrist and extensive psychological testing will be conducted. His recorded history, such as school records, employment history and medical records will also be used to make a ruling, as could interviews with family and friends.
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Murphy is accused of being one of three shooters involved in the killing of Foolio along with Isaiah Chance, Alicia Andrews (both 21) and 18-year-old Sean Gathright.
The trio were arrested in Jacksonville, Florida in July while Murphy taken into custody at a later date following a standoff with a SWAT team at an apartment complex.
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Rashad’s cousin, Davion Murphy, is also wanted in connection to the murder and is still at large.
All four have pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and the prosecution have admitted that they are exploring the possibility of the death penalty.
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Gathright has also been linked to a past attempt on Foolio’s life dating to October 2023 when the rapper was shot in the foot.
According to local news outlet News4Jax, when arresting him, police found Gathright with shell casings from a gun related to the October attack.
He was taken into custody during a traffic stop where cops found a 9mm pistol, a rifle and nine spent cartridge casings from the larger gun.
The police claim the casings match those found in two previous shootings – a homicide from May this year and the October 2023 shooting of Foolio.
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When raiding Gathright’s house, police also found what is known as a brass catcher, a device used to prevent shell casings from being left where they are fired.
Foolio was murdered in June while celebrating his 26th birthday. His body was found in a Holiday Inn parking lot and two other people were injured in the shooting.
