James Talarico accused of siding with teen killer Karmelo Anthony after lamenting ‘there were no black members of the jury’ at his trial

Texas Senate hopeful James Talarico took heat Thursday for suggesting teen killer Karmelo Anthony’s murder conviction was unjust because there were no black jurors at his trial.

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Talarico — who is seeking to become the first Democrat elected to the Senate from Texas since 1988 — was asked about the high-profile case during an appearance on “The Breakfast Club” radio show earlier this month and seemingly argued that Anthony’s conviction was proof the justice system “is not working for black Texans.”

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In June, Anthony, 18, was found guilty of murdering Austin Metcalf, 17, after a spat over seating under a tent at a track and field meet in Frisco, Texas 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.

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“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.”Austin Metcalf was stabbed to death by Karmelo Anthony at a track meet last year. Meghan Prall Metcalf/Facebook

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.”

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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.”Karmelo Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the murder. Instagram/Kala Hayes Anthony

Talarico defeated Crockett in the Senate Democratic primary and the firebrand congresswoman has thus far refused to campaign for him.

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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.

(*) Full article: https://nypost.com/2026/08/20/us-news/james-talarico-accused-of-siding-with-teen-killer-karmelo-anthony-after-lamenting-there-were-no-black-members-of-the-jury-at-his-trial/