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Karmelo Anthony trial: Protests erupt outside Texas courthouse, supporters chant ‘self-defense is not a crime’ | Watch
Protesters wearing ‘Karmelo Anthony’ T-shirts gathered outside of the Texas courthouse as Austin Metcalf's murder trial begins.
Protests have erupted outside the Texas courthouse where Karmelo Anthony’s trial is being held, videos on social media show. Supporters rallied Wednesday, June 3, wearing 'We Declare He Is Free' shirts.
As many as 12 jurors and six alternates have been chosen for the trial, according to CBS News. All qualified African American jurors were dismissed by the prosecution, who argued that the circumstances surrounding the crime were "race-neutral" and did not require a diverse panel of jurors.
Anthony has claimed that he stabbed 17-year-old Austin Metcalf to death in self-defense. He appeared on a live camera feed, sitting with his attorneys at a table. He wore a dark suit and tie.
Read More | Who was Austin Metcalf? 5 things to know about slain Texas student ahead of Karmelo Anthony's trial
A Collin County judge has imposed strict rules on media access, security, and courtroom conduct at the trial. 296th District Court Judge John Roach Jr. signed the order in April, citing intense public interest. He also stressed the need to protect jurors, witnesses, and the defendant's right to a fair proceeding.
Protests outside the courthouse
Reporter Savanah Hernandez took to X to share a video of protesters raising slogans, wearing T-shirts in support of Anthony. “This morning I tried to interview Karmelo Anthony supporters and they immediately got aggressive. Their “security” then told me that he would be my “worst nightmare” if I didn’t leave. A look into some of the people here in support of Karmelo Anthony,” she wrote.
One video shows Anthony’s supporters chanting “self-defense is not a crime.”
Frontlines TPUSA shared a video of the demonstrators, writing, “COLLIN COUNTY- Karmelo Anthony supporters are being extremely contentious with any media they don’t know. There seems to be approved media that they’re willing to speak with, the rest are being met with immediate aggression.”
The Austin Metcalf murder case
Anthony is accused of stabbing Metcalf to death during a rain delay at a high school track meet. Before the stabbing, which took place at Memorial High School in Frisco, Metcalf had reportedly asked Anthony, who is black, to leave the event since he did not attend that school. Matcalf was white.
Read More | Austin Metcalf’s twin brother Hunter accepts posthumous diploma at emotional graduation ceremony: Watch
The confrontation happened after Metcalf told Anthony to leave while he was sitting under Memorial High School’s team tent. According to NBC DFW, witnesses told investigators that Anthony allegedly warned, “touch me and see what happens,” while reaching inside his bag. Anthony allegedly pulled out a black knife from the backpack and stabbed Metcalf once in the chest. Metcalf died in his twin brother’s arms.
If convicted, Anthony could face a possible sentence of 5-99 years or life in prison. 17-year-olds are considered adults in the Texas criminal justice system.
