James Talarico, campaigning for a Texas Senate seat, has sparked controversy by challenging the fairness of the murder conviction of Karmelo Anthony. The teen was convicted despite the absence of black jurors, which Talarico argues points to systemic racial biases.
Talarico, who aims to become Texas’s first Democratic Senator since 1988, voiced his concerns during a recent appearance on “The Breakfast Club” radio show. He suggested that Anthony’s case exemplifies broader failures in the justice system, particularly for black Texans.
“In my legislative work, I have consistently pushed for justice reform because our system often falls short of treating all Americans equitably. Black Texans, in particular, face numerous injustices,” Talarico explained.
He further mentioned, “While I am not deeply informed about this specific case, the lack of black jurors speaks volumes about the system’s flaws. It’s clear evidence that the system fails black Texans.”
Karmelo Anthony, aged 18, was found guilty in June for the murder of Austin Metcalf. The incident, which erupted from a dispute over seating at a track and field meet in Frisco, Texas, occurred in April 2025.
The dispute began when Metcalf, who is white, told Anthony, who is black, to leave the team tent. Anthony responded by plunging a knife into Metcalf’s chest, killing him, prosecutors said.
A Collin County jury — composed of white, Asian and Hispanic members — deliberated for about three hours before finding Anthony guilty of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the killing.
Talarico was accused by conservatives of siding with Metcalf’s killer, as well as pandering to black voters, in response to his stunning concerns about Anthony’s conviction.
“Karmelo Anthony was a violent criminal who killed Austin Metcalf in cold blood. James Talarico sides with a murderer,” Texas Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton wrote on X, sharing a clip of his challenger’s appearance on “The Breakfast Club.”
Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) similarly argued: “Karmelo Anthony stabbed 17-year-old Austin Metcalf to death for absolutely no reason. And [Talarico] sides with the killer.”
“Talarico’s answer on there being six genders will be more popular in Texas than this pandering insanity. Woooooof,” conservative CNN pundit Scott Jennings posted.
Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet argued that Talarico was siding with Anthony “to pander for black votes because Jasmine Crockett voters are still mad at him, and because he’s effeminate and naturally turns them off.”
Talarico defeated Crockett in the Senate Democratic primary and the firebrand congresswoman has thus far refused to campaign for him.
“He’s willing to ignore the evidence and stoke a race war for votes. Disgraceful, truly,” Kolvet added.
Another X user quipped, “Everyone who fatally stabs someone in the heart in front of a lot of people and then confesses the crime to the cops deserves a US Senator who advocates for him and his rights this passionately.”
A conservative lawyer on X expressed concern with Talarico’s “implied belief that racial quotas are necessary for juries.”
“Of course, under Batson, neither side can discriminate on race in selecting jurors,” the lawyer, Eric W., continued, “But Talarico appears to *want* discrimination in the form of quota.
“Not good!”
Talarico’s campaign did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.