Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett appears to have enraged a portion of the internet after a clip from a recent TMZ interview surfaced on X showing her sympathizing with Karmelo Anthony, the Texas teenager convicted on a first-degree murder charge in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf. The clip, which has racked up more than a million views, prompted many netizens to accuse the Democrat of excusing violence and ignoring evidence presented during the trial.
In the video, Crockett reacted to Anthony’s 35-year prison sentence and claimed that the trial failed to show compassion toward the teen after he said he was afraid during the confrontation that led to Metcalf’s death.
“35 years for a kid who had decided to go under a tent that was not his team’s tent as it was raining. And simply didn’t wanna be put out in the rain by some random kid he didn’t know, who is larger than him?” the congresswoman said. She argued that Anthony, a Black boy, was not given the same benefit of the doubt that some people extend to police officers involved in controversial shootings of unarmed Black people.
Multiple outlets have reported that Anthony was convicted on Tuesday in connection with the fatal stabbing that happened during a track and field meet in Frisco, Texas, in April of last year. According to court testimony, the two teenagers became involved in a dispute after Anthony was asked to leave a tent belonging to another school’s team during rainy weather.
Prosecutors argued that the stabbing was unjustified and described it as a senseless act of violence. Anthony’s defense team maintained that he acted in self-defense after being confronted and pushed during the altercation.
Netizens React to Texas Rep’s Comments
Critics on X have slammed Crockett’s assessment of the case, saying she is making it about race as the victim was white. “A boy got stabbed in the heart and bled to death. Shame on you,” one person commented. Another stated, “No rational person of any race has a take like this.” A third wrote, “This is not about black vs white…this is about a murderer.” Someone else asked, “Would she say this if races were reversed I wonder.”
Some people also said her arguments had no merit. “Jasmine Crockett’s justification of a knife to the chest of an innocent young man at a track meet ignores the evidence, the ignored warnings, and Austin’s blood. True justice doesn’t twist facts to excuse violence,” one comment read. Another mocked her, writing, “Got it 👍 so all I need to do to get away with murder in her eyes is say ‘I was scared.'”
Others said that her comments could set a dangerous precedent. “Well that’s a great basis for living in society. We now can have a free for all Wild West situation all claiming we are scared,” one commenter wrote.
Not everyone was outraged by Crockett’s position, however. There were those who seemed to agree with her. “Under Texas Law it was self-defense to me,” one viewer remarked.
Besides these reactions to the video, public opinion has remained divided regarding the Texas case, especially the ruling. Anthony will be eligible for parole after serving half of his sentence and is reportedly seeking to appeal the conviction.
