Newly released surveillance video shown in court appears to show Sean Gathright, one of the suspects in the June 2024 killing of Jacksonville rapper Julio “Foolio” (Charles Andrew Jones II), wiping down a dark Chevy Impala that prosecutors say was used as a getaway vehicle. Prosecutors presented the footage as evidence the defendant attempted to remove or destroy physical evidence after the shooting.
What the video reportedly shows
Prosecutors played the security footage during recent pretrial proceedings; the clip — captured at a residence tied to the investigation — shows a person identified by authorities as Gathright cleaning the exterior of an Impala shortly after the shooting. Authorities say timestamps, license‑plate data and additional surveillance help link that vehicle to the crime scene and the defendants.
Charges and the case so far
Gathright is among several people charged in connection with the ambush‑style attack that killed Foolio and wounded others. Prosecutors describe the killing as a targeted, gang‑related shooting and have brought multiple charges, including premeditated murder; other suspects and persons of interest remain under investigation or charged in related counts.
Defense response and legal questions
Defense attorneys are expected to challenge the admissibility and interpretation of the cleaning footage, arguing presence after a crime does not necessarily prove participation in the shooting itself. The defense may also question chain‑of‑custody, the footage’s source, and whether the video proves intent to hide involvement rather than some other explanation.
Why prosecutors emphasize the footage
Prosecutors argue acts such as washing or wiping a vehicle soon after a homicide demonstrate “consciousness of guilt” and can help fill gaps in the timeline or corroborate other forensic and digital evidence — for example, phone pings, license‑plate reads, and witness statements. That combined evidence is often central to building a prosecutor’s narrative in cases relying on surveillance and circumstantial proof.
What to watch next
- Whether the court allows the footage into evidence at trial.
- Any additional surveillance, cell‑site data, or witness testimony prosecutors introduce to tie the vehicle and individuals to the shooting.
- Motions from defense counsel seeking to exclude or limit the video’s use.
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