Andrews Defense Moves to Disqualify Judge Sisco

Alicia Andrews was supposed to be sentenced on December 8. That didn't happen. And the reason why matters to everyone watching this case.

Four days before her sentencing date, Andrews' defense team filed what's called a writ of prohibition in Florida's Second District Court of Appeal. In plain language: they're asking an appellate court to remove Judge Michelle Sisco from any further participation in this case. The motion requested that her sentencing be stayed while the appellate court decides whether Sisco should be disqualified.

Defense attorney Jeremy McLymont told Complex the delay was requested "to ensure that Ms. Andrews' rights are protected."

That's the lawyer's statement. Here's the context.

What Happened During Trial

Those of you who watched this trial with me remember the tension in that courtroom. It was visible from Day 1.

Before the jury even heard opening statements, Judge Sisco barred the defense from presenting any evidence of domestic violence. Andrews' lawyers wanted to show the jury that her boyfriend, Isaiah Chance, was abusive and controlling. They wanted to argue she was under his influence, unaware of any murder plot. Judge Sisco ruled it was irrelevant under Florida law because duress is not a valid defense to first-degree murder charges.

Later in the trial, Judge Sisco called the defense team's conduct "inexcusable" when they failed to properly advise their witnesses about sequestration rules. The defense fired back, saying prosecutors had been "disrespectful" and "unprofessional" toward them since Day 1.

At one point, when defense attorney Erian White tried to respond to one of the judge's statements, Sisco cut her off: "Actually, I'm making a statement. I'm not looking for responses."

You can draw your own conclusions about the dynamic in that courtroom.

What This Means Going Forward

Here's what we know: Alicia Andrews was convicted of manslaughter, not first-degree murder. The jury rejected the conspiracy charge entirely. She faces up to 15 years in prison. She's been in custody since the verdict, waiting to learn her fate.

Now that fate is in limbo while an appellate court decides whether the judge who presided over her trial should also sentence her.

Disqualifying a judge is not easy. Florida law sets a high bar. But the defense clearly believes they have grounds to try. Whether they succeed or not, this filing tells us something: Andrews' team isn't done fighting.

Meanwhile, the four co-defendants in this case are scheduled for trial in 2026. Isaiah Chance, Sean Gathright, Davion Murphy, and Rashad Murphy. All face the death penalty. All will be tried before different juries. How this motion plays out could have implications for those trials as well, especially if Judge Sisco remains on the bench for any of them.

We're Still Watching

I've said it before: this case is far from over. Andrews was just the first domino. We have four more trials coming. We have an appellate fight now over judicial conduct. We have a 21-year-old woman sitting in a cell waiting to find out if the judge who oversaw her conviction will also determine her sentence.

I'll be covering whatever comes next. Stay tuned.

▶️ WATCH THE FULL TRIAL FL v. Alicia Andrews: The Murder of Julio Foolio