UNVERIFIED

Karmelo Anthony was convicted of murder on June 9, 2026, by a jury in Collin County, Texas, that contained no Black members [1.3.5, 2.1.7]. During jury selection, defense attorneys raised a Batson challenge to object to the prosecution's strike of the final three Black prospective jurors. Judge John Roach Jr. overruled the challenge and accepted the state's argument that the strikes were based on race-neutral grounds, specifically the jurors' professions as educators [1.1.9, 2.2.4]. While the jury included other racial minorities, the total absence of Black representation has sparked widespread condemnation from civil rights groups and public figures who argue the process was biased [1.2.4, 2.3.8]. The prosecution maintains the trial was fair and the verdict was based on video evidence and witness testimony regarding the 2025 stabbing of Austin Metcalf [2.3.2, 2.3.4]. Because the legal fairness of the trial is an unsettled matter currently facing appeal, readers should review the official court transcripts and the defense's Batson challenge filing to judge the impartiality of the proceedings for themselves [2.2.6].