McKINNEY, Texas — Karmelo Anthony’s mother was filmed shouting “racist!” as she left a Texas courthouse in an Acura sedan — hours after her 19-year-old son was convicted of murdering fellow teen Austin Metcalf and sentenced to 35 years in prison.
“Racist! Bias!” Kayla Hayes yells through the passenger side window of a black car on Tuesday amid the throngs of protesters outside the court in McKinney, Texas, in the Dallas suburbs.
The chant appeared to start among the crowd of mostly black supporters who gathered ahead of Tuesday’s verdict in the murder trial — which saw Anthony’s family quickly claim he was the victim of racism.
“We love Karmelo! We love him!” one supporter yells at Hayes after the teen was sentenced to 35 years for the fatal stabbing at a Frisco high school track meet.
Hayes is also heard saying, “Send that message that they can do whatever,” before making a heart gesture at her killer son’s supporters.
“Keep your head up!” another supporter yells, as others shout, “Power to the people!” and “free Karmelo!”
On Tuesday, a jury found Anthony guilty of murdering Metcalf in April last year, in what he claimed was an act of self-defense.
Jurors also rejected his argument that the killing happened in the “passion of the moment,” which would have reduced the charges to second-degree murder.
