Closing Statements Begin in Tampa Stalking and Murder Case

TAMPA, Fla. – Closing arguments began today in the trial of Alicia Andrews, 21, who is accused of stalking and being part of a murder plot. Andrews is the first of five defendants to face trial in a shooting that killed a man while he celebrated his birthday in Tampa in June 2024.

In June of the same year, 26-year-old Jones was shot and killed in a targeted ambush. Court documents claim that Andrews and the other defendants traveled from Jacksonville to Tampa to find him as part of an ongoing gang conflict linked to their hometown.

During her testimony, Andrews described her boyfriend, Isaiah Chance, one of the accused shooters, as “abusive and controlling.” She asserted that she had no knowledge of the plan to murder Jones and only learned that he was going to Tampa when Chance told her to pack her bags for a trip.

Andrews testified that once in Tampa, her boyfriend controlled her phone communications with the other co-defendants, including Sean Gathright, Davion Murphy, and Rashad Murphy. Surveillance footage from a nightclub allegedly shows her arriving while wearing a facemask, which she stated was due to her pregnancy, not to hide her identity.

The prosecution countered by presenting text messages from Andrews in which she once remarked that Jones “needed to die,” claiming it was simply youthful gossip. They also revealed evidence that she and Chance maintained frequent communications while both were incarcerated, discussing their trial and her pregnancy.

As the closing arguments unfolded, prosecutors emphasized that Andrews served as a “trusted confidant” for Chance, arguing that she was aware of the underlying gang conflicts and the implications of Jones’ murder. They contended that her role went beyond that of an unwilling participant.

The trial continues as both sides prepare for rebuttals, with jury deliberation anticipated shortly after.