The murder trial concerning the 2024 shooting death of Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio has officially begun.

As reported by FOX 13 Tampa Bay, jury selection started on April 8, in Tampa, where four men — Sean Gathright, Rashad Murphy, Davion Murphy, and Isaiah Chance — are being jointly tried in the case.

Each faces first-degree murder charges, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty for all of them.

Approximately 250 potential jurors are expected to appear as attorneys work to form a fair and impartial jury. Early questioning is focusing on whether jurors can remain unbiased, particularly in a trial involving the possibility of capital punishment.

Last month, a judge ruled to try all four defendants together, despite defense motions to separate their cases. Defense attorneys argued that specific evidence, such as alleged gang affiliations and certain statements, might unduly influence jurors in a joint trial.

However, the court decided there was no legal cause to divide the proceedings.

Consequently, a single jury will oversee the case for all four individuals. The plan is to select 14 jurors, including alternates. Potential jurors unwilling to consider the death penalty may be dismissed early, while lawyers assess candidates for their ability to fairly evaluate evidence, some of which may pertain differently to each defendant.

The charges arise from a June 2024 shooting that took the life of Charles Jones, known professionally as Julio Foolio, at just 26 years old.

Investigators allege that the defendants traveled from Jacksonville to Tampa to orchestrate a targeted ambush outside a hotel near the University of South Florida. The rapper, who was celebrating his birthday at the time, died in the attack, which also injured three others.