Rapper Azealia Banks joins the rest of social media in reacting to the controversial guilty verdict handed down upon Karmelo Anthony — the 17-year-old Texas student accused of stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a school track met. The fatal stabbing occurred on April 2, 2025 after Anthony got into an altercation with the victim and his twin brother, Hunter Metcalf.
Karmelo Anthony Convicted In Fatal Stabbing Of Austin Metcalf, Sentenced To 35 Years In Prison
In May 2025, we learned that Anthony — who was 17 at the time of the stabbing and is now 19 — would be charged with first-degree murder, and tried as an adult, under Texas state law.
A year later, on June 9, Texas District Court Judge John Roach Jr., a White man, read the verdict after an all White jury deliberated for 2-3 hours. They found Anthony guilty of first-degree murder, leaving him in tears in the courtroom.
Hours later, the judge sentenced Anthony to 35 years in prison, eligible for parole in 17-and-a-half years. He was previously facing a sentence ranging from 5 to 99 years or life in prison.
RELATED: Karmelo Anthony Found Guilty Of Murder After The Texas High School Stabbing Of Austin Metcalf
Azealia Banks Claims Karmelo Anthony Did Not Act In Self-Defense In Austin Metcalf’s Fatal Stabbing
While reacting to a social user posting about Karmelo Anthony’s conviction in the Austin Metcalf murder, Azealia Banks posted on X: “He is guilty. He’s completely guilty.” Another user replied, “Manslaughter maybe — ‘murder’ no. That usually needs to show intent … seems like self-defense.”
Banks fired back:
“It’s not self-defense when you taunt someone, saying, ‘Touch me and see what happens,’ 5 times. He [had] intent on stabbing Austin, Plus – you’re not allowed to bring weapons onto school property or have them at school events. The kid is f***ing guilty. I have to think, how would I feel if Austin were Black? I’d definitely find him extra guilty. What would have been a routine fight between boys at a school ended up with one dead. This is not what the Black community needs to be focused on we have more important things to do.”
The user replied back, “I hear you, but he’s only guilty ’cause he’s Black. What’s the gas station owner’s name?.” Banks replied, “No, he’s guilty because he’s f***ing guilty. Gas station’s owner is Rick Chow.”
The user and Banks were referencing the acquittal of Rick Chow, who wrongfully accused 14-year-old
Cyrus Carmack-Belton of stealing a water bottle back in May 2023. Last week, just over three years later, Chow was acquitted in the fatal shooting of the Black teen.
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