Concerns are escalating regarding the safety of jurors in the Karmelo Anthony case, as a troubling trend gains traction. Across the nation, individuals are being harassed by agitators who wrongfully claim they were part of the jury.
Nineteen-year-old Anthony was convicted of murder and received a 35-year prison sentence for the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a Texas track meet in 2025.
The case captured national attention, sparking a heated dialogue about racial dynamics, as the murder involved a black defendant and a white victim.
The jury’s decision has sparked intense criticism from Anthony’s advocates, who argue that racial bias influenced the trial outcome, given the absence of black jurors.
In a disturbing twist, a viral trend has emerged online where Anthony’s followers confront random individuals, falsely accusing them of serving on the jury.
One video posted by a user in Jacksonville, Florida, showed a man on a bike confronting another man who appeared to be homeless, sitting on a sidewalk.
The man on the bike said, ‘Hey, wasn’t he on jury selection?’ before hitting the man on the sidewalk.
A woman standing nearby said, ‘No, he wasn’t, seriously, no, he wasn’t,’ and added, ‘He’s a vet, dude.’
Karmelo Anthony (pictured), 19, was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 35 years behind bars for fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a Texas track meet in 2025
One video posted by a user in Jacksonville, Florida, showed a man on a bike confronting another man and accusing him of being on the jury
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office confirmed to the Daily Mail that it is investigating the video.
The Daily Mail contacted the video poster for comment.
Anthony, who was 17 at the time, claimed he was acting in self-defense when he stabbed Metcalf with a folding knife after a heated argument under a tent.
However, after a nearly weeklong trial, the jury deliberated for just three hours and rejected his claim. Less than 24 hours later, Anthony’s lawyers have already filed a notice appealing the guilty verdict.Â
Twelve jurors and six alternates, who were mostly white, with the exception of three Hispanics, two Asians, and two from the Middle East and India, were selected to decide Anthony’s fate.Â
During jury selection, defense attorneys raised a Batson challenge, a legal objection used when it is believed potential jurors were struck off because of race, that was rejected by the judge.Â
Throughout the trial, racially-charged protests erupted outside the courtroom with Anthony supporters declaring the teenager should ‘walk free.’
Prosecutors eviscerated Anthony’s self-defense claim that Metcalf attacked him first with video evidence and eyewitness testimony.
Anthony, who was 17 at the time, claimed he was acting in self-defense when he stabbed Metcalf (pictured) with a folding knife after a heated argument under a tent
Witnesses who were in the tent described Anthony as the aggressor, testifying that Anthony told Metcalf, ‘Touch me and see what happens,’ provoking Metcalf to push Anthony, who then pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the chest.
Prosecutors said Metcalf’s twin brother, Hunter, rushed to his aid as Anthony ran from the scene and later tried to blend into groups of kids who were exiting the stadium.
Anthony sat motionless in court as police body camera footage from April of last year showed Hunter pleading for help after the stabbing.
Hunter shouted, ‘Oh my God. He’s my best friend. He’s my brother.’
He became hysterical as he begged for help and cried out, ‘I can’t do this.’
At one point, Hunter grew incoherent and seemed to be praying out loud.
Jurors gasped in horror after being shown never-before-seen photos of Metcalf’s punctured heart during the trial.
Metcalf was stabbed once in the chest. The knife pierced through his bone in the center of his chest and punctured the right side of his heart, a medical examiner testified.
While cross-examining the medical examiner, Anthony’s lawyers implied that Metcalf impaled himself on the knife.
After his defense lawyers called on six witnesses who offered underwhelming evidence, Anthony opted not to take the stand.