A Florida appellate court has cleared the way for a change in oversight in the high-profile homicide case tied to the death of rapper Julio Foolio, granting a petition to remove the trial judge ahead of sentencing.
The ruling centers on Judge Michelle Sisco, who presided over the trial of Alicia Andrews. Andrews was found guilty of manslaughter in October after an eight-day trial, while being acquitted of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Julio Foolio.
Following the verdict, Andrews’ attorney, Jeremy McLymont, filed a petition seeking both a delay in sentencing and Sisco’s disqualification. The filing argued that the judge demonstrated “hostile comments” and “obvious bias” during the proceedings, a development first detailed by Legal Affairs and Trial reporter Meghann Cuniff.
In the petition, McLymont asserted that Sisco failed to maintain “cold neutrality” and “did everything in its power to ensure that Ms. Andrews was convicted,” accusing the court of humiliating the defense team and scrutinizing defense witnesses more aggressively than those called by prosecutors.
Although Andrews faced a potential sentence of up to 15 years on the manslaughter conviction, the appellate court intervened three days before the scheduled sentencing hearing. Judges granted a delay and gave prosecutors 30 days to “show cause” why Sisco should not be removed from the case.
The appellate panel also directed Chief Judge Christopher Sabella to appoint a new judge moving forward.
McLymont praised the ruling and signaled that the defense plans to continue challenging the outcome of the trial.
“Everyone is entitled to a fair trial, including Ms. Andrews,” McLymont said. “We are convinced that a new trial should and will be granted after some litigation at the trial and or appellate level.”
The case now shifts into a new phase as the court determines the next steps under new judicial supervision.
