Karmelo Anthony, a 17-year-old Black youth, was found guilty of stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, a white youth, at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, on April 2, 2025. The racist U.S. justice system tried Anthony as an adult. He faced a sentence of five to 99 years, or life in prison. He was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced, after three hours of deliberation on June 9, 2026, to 35 years in prison.

Anthony’s mother, Kayla Hayes, was the sole witness during sentencing, pleading for mercy for her child. “My son is no murderer,” Hayes said. “My son didn’t intend to hurt anyone. My son was defending himself. And that’s what hurt so bad.” Anthony’s supporters chanted “Free Karmelo” outside the courthouse after the verdict was announced. Some supporters argued that Anthony is entitled to a jury of his peers and because he did not get one, on that ground alone, he is entitled to a new trial — contending that the prosecution’s stated reasons for striking all Black jurors are a racist pretext.

In Collin County, where the trial took place, Black people make up 12.1% of the population, yet of the approximately 600 residents summoned for jury duty, not one Black person ended up seated. The jury selection was racist, and the judge allowed the trial to proceed with the racist jury in place. Anthony was not judged by an impartial jury as the U.S. Constitution mandates. Nor was he judged by a “jury of his peers,” a principle enshrined in the Magna Carta of 1215 that carried forward into the U.S. legal tradition.

Anthony’s defense attorney said, “We believe there are several important issues for the appellate courts to consider. An appeal is the next part of the legal process and a right afforded every American.” The appeal is expected to challenge the jury selection process and the court’s rejection of key defense arguments. Some House Democrats also weighed in, arguing that Black defendants are not allowed to be fearful or claim self-defense at the same standard as others, and calling for appeals and further review.

The prosecution’s argument, that last April’s events were “race neutral” and therefore the inclusion of Black individuals on the jury was not necessary, is absurd. How can anything in a country built on the economic exploitation and racist oppression of Black workers — as slaves and as underpaid laborers — ever be “race neutral”? In truth, Black people in the United States have never experienced neutral treatment on the basis of race. It is inconsistent with, and in contradiction to, the history of our country to believe otherwise. This is shown in the disparity in outcomes between this trial and the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, for example. Both Rittenhouse and Anthony were teenagers. Both argued that they acted in self-defense. However, the jury in the former case took 26 hours to determine that the accused was innocent. And the jury in the latter case took only 3 hours to determine the accused is a murderer. Rittenhouse walks free and will get to enjoy his young adult life. Anthony was sentenced to 35 years, and he will spend his most formative years behind bars. Additionally, it’s important to highlight that Black people still face discrimination in the justice system, even as victims. Just earlier this month, a South Carolina store owner was found not guilty in the murder of a 14-year-old Black boy, Cyrus Carmack-Belton, who he shot in the back over a water bottle. Does any of this sound “race neutral?”

Not only does the white supremacist myth of race “neutrality” or race “blindness” negate the centuries-long oppression of Black people in this country, its continued advocacy sets Black folks further back. It was the rationale given for striking down Affirmative Action. It was the justification given for dismantling the Voting Rights Act. It’s the justification used for the discrimination faced by Anthony and other Black folks in the U.S. justice system. And it will continue to be the reason given by the capitalist class, backed by MAGA fascists in the GOP, when they try to thwart attempts to address our country’s history of racist oppression and exploitation of Black people. Perpetuating the lie of racial “blindness” — while continuing the super-exploitation of Black workers — keeps the capitalist class rich and in power, and keeps the working class divided.

The African American Equality Commission CPUSA (AAEC) joins with Next Generation Action Network (NGAN) in condemning the racist nature of the trial, one in a centuries-long stream of racist lynchings implemented through the U.S. “justice” system against Black people, and particularly young Black men.

We reject all claims of race “neutrality” in this or any other case in the U.S. In a nation built on racist enslavement and oppression of millions of people, with Jim Crow laws and their violent enforcement, there can be no pretense that race is neutral anywhere or anytime. We particularly reject race “neutrality” in a time when white supremacists are in power in many states and in the White House.

A more just and democratic system for all people is possible. We need a broad labor-led movement and mass mobilization of our multiracial, multiethnic, multi-gendered working class along with allies to achieve it. Together, united, we can fight for and achieve a civil rights Third Reconstruction, combat the continued racist undermining of the post-Civil War Reconstruction and Second Reconstruction civil rights gains, and defeat the anti-rights counterrevolution of the MAGA period.

Together, we can build socialism. A better world is possible!

The opinions of the author do not necessarily reflect the positions of the CPUSA.

Images: Black lives matter protest in Virginia by Sally Dukes. Public domain.