The Carmelo Anthony Verdict: Justice or 'Just Us'
The Karmelo Anthony Trial didn't get much National Press Coverage, but the Black Grassroots were following closely. Karmelo was found guilty for the 'Murder' of Austin Metcalf, & sentenced to 35Yrs. Blackfolk familiar with the Case are calling it a Travesty of Justice. The 1st Sign that Karmelo was being RAILROADED, was the assembly of a White & Asian Jury. ALL of the Black Members of the Jury Pool were excused. 4 potential Jurors were excused, due to 'Personal Bias'; while 2 other Black Women were singled out. In the case of these 2 Women, Collin County 1st Asst. District Attorney, Bill Wirskye said that they were excused because they were both 'Educators'. The Prosecutor believed these Women would be 'implicitly biased', given the circumstance of 2 Students involved in an incident on School Property. A White Educator was accepted, but the excuse given was:
'She doesn't teach children in a classroom setting'.
The 2nd Sign, was the performance of Karmelo's Attorney, Mike Howard. Most agree that he did a HORRIBLE JOB of Defending his Client; some believe that he's part of a conspiracy that includes Jeff Metcalf, 1st. Asst. Bill Wirskye, D.A. Greg Willis, & Judge John Roach Jr. According to Karmelo's Father, Andrew Anthony- Howard bamboozled his son & his Family. He & his Wife, Kala now regret following the instructions of their 'Advisors', who told them NOT to speak w/ the Blackfolk that were reaching out to help Karmelo. Anthony questioned why Howard rose so few Objections during the Trial. New Black Media Content Creators went deeper. Among the questions being asked about Mike Howard's Defensive Strategy are:
Where were Mike Howard's 'Expert Witnesses'? Most agreed that it should have been a 'Slam Dunk' Self Defense Case, but the use of several 'Stand Your Ground' & 'Self Defense' Experts would hammer home the Point.
Why did he let the Prosecutor call a 'Pocket Tool' used by Boy Scouts a 'Knife'? New reports are coming out that suggest Karmelo NEVER reached in his bag; the 'Tool' was Hunter Metcalf's. Witnesses initially said that Karmelo acquired it after the blade was extended. WHY wasn't this 'Pocket Tool' introduced as Evidence?
Why did Howard allow conflicting Eyewitness Accounts to go 'On The Record' without clarification? There were 21 Witnesses, but at the very least, Karmelo's 'Childhood Friend'- Eddie Parra, who invited him under the Tent should have been probed deeper. It is rumored that Jeff Metcalf held a 'Barbecue' for these Witnesses last Year; WHY didn't Mike Howard raise this Event during questioning?
Why didn't he do more to express the fact that Karmelo Anthony was an Honor Student & an Athlete with NO CRIMINAL HISTORY? He isn't predisposed to 'Take Life'; Karmelo actually Saved the Life of a Drowning Victim.
Karmelo Anthony is 5' 8", roughly 135lbs, has a surgically repaired shoulder, & suffers from seizures. He was up against 6' 1", 227lb Austin Metcalf & at least 3 others when he felt compelled to act. Why is he being held to a different standard than Rick Chow, Daniel Penny or George Zimmerman? Why didn't Mike Howard elaborate on this fact?
Howard had the same access to the Frisco IDS Video that the Prosecution had; why didn't he scrutinize that Video to show Karmelo's actions? Black Content Creators have shown that even the 'grainy' copy shows that Karmelo was JUMPED by Hunter, Austin, & 2 of their friends..
Why was Austin Metcalf's Autopsy Sealed? It's rumored that he & Hunter 'Popped Pills', & Austin may have indulged earlier that morning, before he confronted Karmelo. The EMS Response is also being questioned.
The 3rd Sign that Karmelo was being subjected to a 'Legal Lynching', was the length of the actual Trial. It was forecasted to last 2 Weeks, but this 'Racially Charged' Murder Trial only lasted 4 Days in its entirety. Several Content Creators remarked on the obvious rush to send Karmelo Anthony to Prison. He was handed over to the Texas Department Of Corrections following Sentencing, & Prison Photos immediately went viral. The Jury took roughly 3 Hours to deliberate, which is pretty fast for a Murder Trial with a Self Defense Argument. Judge John Roach Jr. said the Jury was made up of a 'Diverse Group' representing the Community, but the lack of even one Black Juror has Blackfolk wondering if a verdict would be reached so quickly if a Black Person was on that Panel.
Dr. Candice Matthews held a Press Conference following Karmelo's Conviction, & exposed a lawsuit against the Collin County D.A.'s Office. District Attorney Greg Willis & 1st Assistant. Bill Wirskye were individually charged, along with other Staffers. The 75 Page Transcript lists the Plaintiffs as former Staffers of the Collin County District Attorney's Office that endured [Sexual] Assault, Discrimination & 'Hazing'/ Bullying from their Superiors. Apparently, Willis used his position to make sexual advances towards his Female Subordinates. As 1st. Assistant, Bill Wirskye ran the Office like a 'Good Ole Boy Network' that punished Staffers who couldn't 'get with The Program'...
The question being raised is:
Are these People qualified to write Indictments & take Cases to Trial? Do they possess the Integrity & Morality needed to fairly represent the People of their Community?
Judge John Roach Jr. issued a Gag Order, limited Gallery attendance, & kept Cameras out of his Courtroom during Karmelo's Trial. New Black Media Content Creators across the board believe this was an effort to minimize [National] exposure on how Collin County goes about its business. Roach's comments about Karmelo Anthony suggest that he believes the Case is tragic, but doesn't take Austin Metcalf's track record of bullying into account. He overlooked the circumstance that led to Karmelo's reaction, & focused on his 'accountability'. The Judge has a history of bias in Collin County. He allegedly has a Sealed Record for violating a child, & did the same for his cronies. Judge Roach recently gave an interview where he acted like he was simply conducting 'Business as usual', & didn't plan on changing anything before stepping down in the coming Months. His sudden resignation has EVERYONE familiar w/ the Case questioning his motivation.
Several Black Attorneys have come out in support of Karmelo Anthony's Conviction. Dennis Spurling has done several interviews w/ Willie D where he plays 'Devil"s Advocate', while Judge Joe Brown took the Prosecution's side of the Case; going as far as calling Karmelo a COWARD, for 'bringing a knife to a fist fight'. I respect Judge Joe Brown's knowledge of Constitutional Law, but I noticed that he has a pattern of taking the Judge's side in controversial Court Cases (e.g. Kyle Rittenhouse). I find him & Dennis Spurling disingenuous in their summation, because they both have an understanding of Texas Law. BOTH KNOW that Austin Metcalf 'Crossed the Line' when he threatened, then put his hands on Karmelo Anthony. Austin doesn't have a Legal Right to dictate HOW Karmelo should respond to his assault.
Attorney Mark Astor doesn't appear to be a fan of Karmelo Anthony, but even he admitted that Karmelo has a shot at a 'Get Out Of Jail Free Card'. The TOTAL OMISSION of Black Jurors in this particular Trial may lead the Appellate Court to overturn the Guilty Verdict. Astor said that 1 or 2 Black Jurors getting excused is one thing, but excluding ALL of the prospective Black Jurors is cause for an Appellate Court Trial. Andrew & Kala Anthony have already started that process, & vowed to fight for their Son's release. @LakeyshaKeysha has been giving regular updates on her Platform, & has conducted several interviews w/ People familiar w/ the Case. Legal Minds believe that Mike Howard should have done more to defend his Client, & as a result, they see a great chance of Karmelo winning on Appeal. Moving those proceedings to Dallas County, is seen as a plus for Karmelo's Legal Team.
Jeff Metcalf released an odd video following the Verdict, where he disrespected Karmelo's Parents & referred to Karmelo Anthony as a 'Watermelon Felon'. Metcalf appeared to be 'Under the Influence', but Blackfolk weren't surprised by his comments. The 'Good Christian' persona that he exhibited Last Year was never taken seriously; his actions at Karmelo's 1st [Family] Press Conference showed his passive aggressive nature. It's ironic that Jeff Metcalf has a problem with Andrew Anthony's Manhood & the Parenting Skills of Blackfolk generally, when he is guilty of the offenses that he cited in his tirade. Jeff Metcalf is a 'Deadbeat Dad' that left his Wife to raise their children as a Single Parent. His tirade only exposed how the Apple doesn't fall far from the Tree. One thing that seems pretty clear, is Jeff Metcalf's influence in Frisco, Tx.
Charleston White initially stood w/ the Metcalf Family, but following the Verdict, said that he was 'bamboozled' & pledged to help raise funding for Karmelo's Appeal. As quickly as he made his announcement, White came out disrespecting Andrew Anthony's 'Manhood' for daring to ask if residual funding for Karmelo's Appeal could be used to help support his Family. Anthony lost his job, & had to move several times (as many as 8), following Death Threats on his Family. We know that at least $500K was raised for Karmelo, but We don't know how much actually went to The Family, The Defense Team, & the opportunists around him like Dominique Alexander... Charleston White went on to apologize to the Metcalf Family, wished harm on Karmelo while in Prison, & is now selling 'Watermelon Felon' T- Shirts Online.
Secret Service Sam has been vocal throughout the ordeal, & raised questions about the Trial, the Prosecutor, & the Judge's real intentions for pushing this Case through so quickly. He is among many that believe Karmelo Anthony DID NOT receive a Fair Trial. There was more than just a rush to convict Karmelo, it seems like Collin County wanted to send a CLEAR MESSAGE to its Black Residents & EVERYONE ELSE seems to be 'On Board', if not in agreement.
The REAL ISSUE here is:
Do Black Americans have the Right to Self Defense?
The Short Answer, appears to be NO! American History is chocked full of Events where Whitefolk have gone to great lengths to keep Black Americans Unarmed & Defenseless. On the occasions where We actually defended Ourselves, the 'Powers That Be' went to similar lengths to punish ANYONE who dared to fight back. Gun Control Laws came into existence AFTER The Black Panther Party [for Self Defense] expressed their Right to Bear Arms in front of the California State Capitol in Sacramento. 'Stand Your Ground' Laws seem to twist into knots to protect Whitefolk, but Blackfolk have to contend w/ 'Proportionality of Violence' whenever We apply it. Texas Penal Code 9.2 allows for the use of 'Deadly Force' in the defense of your Person; why didn't Mike Howard argue this point vigorously? Why did John Roach Jr. & Bill Wirskye ignore Texas Law & focus on 'Accountability'?
A lot has happened since Karmelo Anthony's Trial & Wrongful Conviction. Rick Chow's senseless Murder of Cyrus Carmack- Belton has triggered a Nationwide Boycott (24/7 Blackout) of ANY BUSINESS that harbors Anti- Black Sentiment. In Lee County, Ga., Jeffery Tyler Kinzer shouted racial slurs at a Black Family Gathering as he drove by; then returned wearing body armor & carrying an AR-15. Kinzer fired shots into the Crowd before being shot by a former Marine, & arrested on 'Aggravated Assault' Charges. He was later released on $5K Bail, which raised questions about Georgia's Hate Crime Law. Professor BlackTruth has mentioned the Suffolk County, N.Y. Case of John White several times, as an example of what happens when Blackfolk try to defend themselves or Family Members. White was arrested & convicted of Manslaughter- for defending his son, Aaron against a White [Lynch] Mob that gathered on his property shouting racial slurs, & demanding he send Aaron out. Meanwhile, Daniel Penny can attack Jordan Neely from behind & choke him to death; George Zimmerman & Rick Chow can pursue & kill their Teenaged victims- ALL w/ No Reprisal.
It appears that Karmelo Anthony has a New Legal Team assembled that is being called: 'The Appellate Dream Team'. All 5 Attorneys have impressive Resumes & are working pro bono, so We hope that they can put in the Work that Mike Howard failed to do. In light of Collin County's prejudgement, impropriety, & fast track approach to sending a 'First Time Offender' to Prison for 35Yrs, nothing is guaranteed. The whole thing smells like a plot to knock a Family of 'Uppity Negroes' down a peg or two. The preponderance of Evidence appearing Post Trial leads Me to think that Collin County anticipates an exoneration, but are hoping that Karmelo is violated or harmed while he sits in Prison. I can't help but wonder WHY Andrew & Kala Anthony chose Frisco, Tx.? Apparently, they didn't get the Memo regarding the pitfalls of 'Proximity to Whiteness'. That said, We pray for Karmelo's safety & quick release.
-I hope that EVERYONE involved in this 'Legal Lynching' gets what they deserve.
