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19-Year-Old Gets 35 Years; Appeal Cites All-White Jury

6/15/2026

50 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Karmelo Anthony, 19, was convicted of murdering 17-year-old Austin Metcalf and received a 35-year prison sentence.
Judge John Roach Jr. banned cameras from the trial and said he can sleep well at night after overseeing it.
Both families reported death threats and harassing messages after the verdict.
Anthony’s attorneys plan to appeal, claiming the all-White jury and removal of Black jurors violated his rights.

History

Historical Context

The 1931 Scottsboro Boys case spurred Norris v. Alabama (1935), banning systematic Black juror exclusion. The Supreme Court later codified that rule in Batson v. Kentucky (1985), permitting defendants to prove purposeful discrimination. In 2024, Judge John Roach Jr. formed an all-White jury after striking four Black prospects, reviving Batson concerns noted in Foster v. Chatman (2016).

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Story summary

Karmelo Anthony, 19, was convicted of murdering 17-year-old Austin Metcalf and received a 35-year prison sentence.
Judge John Roach Jr. banned cameras from the trial and said he can sleep well at night after overseeing it.
Both families reported death threats and harassing messages after the verdict.
Anthony’s attorneys plan to appeal, claiming the all-White jury and removal of Black jurors violated his rights.

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