A Tragic Verdict: The Karmelo Anthony Case Explained

Summary

---

The Breakfast Club

Episode: A Tragic Verdict: The Carmelo Anthony Case Explained

Date: June 10, 2026
Host: Lauren LaRosa (with DJ Envy, Charlamagne Tha God)

Episode Overview

This emotionally charged episode of The Breakfast Club centers on the recent verdict in the Carmelo Anthony case—a controversial and racially charged murder trial involving two Texas teens. Lauren LaRosa provides an in-depth breakdown of the incident, the legal battle, and its greater implications regarding race, self-defense, and the criminal justice system. The case has attracted nationwide attention, sparking debate over the definitions of self-defense, peer jury selection, and racial disparities in legal outcomes.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background of the Case

[03:05]

• Carmelo Anthony (not the NBA star), a Black 17-year-old Texas track athlete, was charged after fatally stabbing another 17-year-old, Austin Metcliffe (white), during a confrontation at a high school track meet in April 2025.
• The altercation occurred under a tent at a rainy district championship. Multiple students were present; some reports claim up to 20 witnessed the exchange.
• Austin and other students asked Carmelo to leave their team’s tent, which Carmelo refused due to the weather.

Notable Details:

• Carmelo allegedly said “Touch me and see what happens” before the physical altercation.
• Austin shoved Carmelo; after the shove, Carmelo used a knife from his backpack to stab Austin.
• The knife was not illegal under Texas law, but its necessity was questioned during the trial.

2. Arguments from Both Sides

[05:40]

• Defense: Maintained Carmelo acted in self-defense, feeling physically threatened during a group confrontation.
  • Carmelo’s family and defense team insisted he was not the aggressor.
• Prosecution: Asserted that a shove did not justify deadly force.
  • They challenged why Carmelo had a knife and whether belief of fear justified such a response.

3. The Role of Race and Jury Selection

[12:39]

• The racial component is highlighted: Carmelo is Black; Austin was white.
• No Black jurors were on the 18-person jury (11 women, 7 men), though there were other people of color.
• Black jurors were reportedly dismissed because they were teachers or worked with students, which the court claimed was a conflict due to the nature of the case.

Quote [13:16], Lauren LaRosa:

“You have this young black boy who is on trial for a murder… and the biggest callout here is the fact that there are no people that immediately look like him and understand the safety pressures and safety thinking that he is trained by as a young black boy growing up in this world and in society.”

• Lauren explains that, legally, “jury of your peers” does not require demographic similarity—only a fair cross-section from the local community.

4. Legal Process, Verdict, and Sentencing Phase

[15:50], [20:13]

• Texas tries 17-year-olds as adults, exposing Carmelo to a possible sentence of 5 to 99 years.
• Carmelo did not testify during his trial.
• He was found guilty of murder; sentencing is to follow.
• The jury deliberated for less than three hours, suggesting they were strongly convinced by the state's case.

Memorable Quote:

“First of all, you don’t want to see no black young man caught up in no system. You just don’t… when you add an all white or non black jury… this is tough because it’s like, a loss of life is a loss of life at the end of the day as well too. But you just… you just never want to see it on both sides.”
— Lauren LaRosa [22:46]

5. Personal and Emotional Testimony

[20:50]

• Carmelo’s mother, Kayla Hay, was the sole sentencing-phase witness for her son, emotionally pleading with the jury for mercy.

Courtroom Quote [21:32]:

“He is my oldest, my firstborn, my baby. I love him very much… Please have mercy on my son.”

• The prosecutor countered: “Isn’t it true you could still have a relationship with your son while he’s behind bars?”

• The verdict and sentencing sparked protests outside the courthouse, including at least one arrest and a heavy law enforcement presence.

6. Community and Broader Issues: Racial Disparities and Judicial Familiarity

[23:30]

• There are allegations (not confirmed) that the DA, the judge, and the victim’s father knew each other before the case.
• Lauren pledges to feature interviews with civil rights activists involved in the case to explore possible institutional bias.

Quote:

“There are allegations that the DA in this case, the judge and Austin Metcalfe’s dad all knew each other prior to this case. So people are also pointing and calling that out… There’s a criminal justice system here that can appeal and appeal and appeal, but… it’s tough for us. Let’s be honest.”
— Lauren LaRosa [25:54]

7. Reflection and Emotional Impact

[26:13]

• Lauren shares heartfelt sorrow for both families, reflecting on youth, lost opportunities, and the burden placed on Black youth entering the justice system.
• She reiterates her commitment to investigating racial discrepancies in the system.

Quote:

"It breaks my heart to see young black people caught up in things like this. It breaks my heart to see young people in their lives just here one day, gone tomorrow... Once we as black people are introduced to the system, it's not a fair game at that point.”
— Lauren LaRosa [27:46]

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “One split second, the way that it just changed both of these young men’s lives—because one person's life was taken, one person is about to be in jail for… his life is going down too.”
  Lauren LaRosa [22:46]

• “I just remember what I was doing at the ages of 17 and 19 and how young I was and just, oh, my God. God bless them. God bless them.”
  Lauren LaRosa [26:13]

---

Important Timestamps

• [03:05] – Lauren introduces the case and walks through the background and sequence of events.
• [05:40] – Details and testimonies from the trial regarding the altercation.
• [12:39] – In-depth discussion of race, jury selection, and what constitutes a “jury of your peers​.”
• [20:13] – The verdict, Carmelo’s mother's plea, and emotional scenes from court.
• [22:46] – Reactions to the verdict, discussion of loss on both sides, and the impact on families.
• [23:30] – Allegations about prior relationships between key trial figures and planned activist interviews.
• [26:13] – Lauren’s personal reflections and call for further investigation.

---

Tone and Style

Lauren LaRosa leads with empathy, urgency, and firsthand insight into both the legal nuances and the human toll of the case. Her perspective is shaped by both journalistic experience and her own identity, often addressing listeners directly (“you know,” “let’s be honest”) and centering Black families’ vulnerability in the American justice system. The conversation is factual, passionate, and explicitly critical of systemic issues.

---

Next Steps & Looking Forward

Lauren promises to interview activists from the National Action Generational Network and continue to shed light on the case and broader racial issues in criminal justice. She invites listeners to stay tuned for updated coverage and appeals for continued engagement with these tough but necessary conversations.

---

Transcript

[Lauren LaRosa]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.

[Paramount BET Announcer]

Paramount is now the home of all your BET favorites.

[Commercial Voice]

What?

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yes.

[Paramount BET Announcer]

With all new episodes of Tyler Perry's Divorce Sisters you've always liked. A little drama, plus a whole new world of movies like Gladiator 2.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Now I will control an empire.

[Paramount BET Announcer]

Original series like the Shy.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Just make sure we protect each other.

[Paramount BET Announcer]

And live sports like ufc.

[Commercial Voice]

Welcome to the history books.

[Paramount BET Announcer]

New home, same family. Your BET favorites are now on Paramount. Subscribe Now.

[Nissan Commercial Narrator]

Peace of mind starts with knowing what supports the journey is steady, grounded and dependable, especially during seasons of change. That's why Nissan engineers push their vehicles to the limit to demonstrate quality, reliability and durability, making those principles a foundation across every vehicle built. That commitment has earned recognition from J.D. power, ranking Nissan number one in new vehicle quality among mainstream brands. Because when trust is built into the foundation, it creates more space to move through life with clarity, confidence and intention, getting the most out of the journey wherever it unfolds. For J.D. power 2025 U.S. initial Quality Study Award information, visit jdpower.com forward/awards Awards based on 2025 model year. Newer models may be shown Peace to

[Charlamagne Tha God]

the planet Charlemagne Tha God here. Now look, y' all know I'm big on ownership. Owning your ideas, owning your business, owning your future. And that's exactly why I use Shopify. Shopify is the platform. You take an idea and actually build a real business out of it. What I love is how discoverable it makes everything. Shopify puts products everywhere. People actually shop. Google, YouTube, TikTok, shop the shop app. Even inside ChatGPT you can literally go from conversation to checkout. That is the next level options in our changing world. And right now the Black Effect storefront is busy and Shopify is handling the heavy lifting. I am excited that Shopify is going to be at our Black Effect Podcast Festival this year in a major way and I will be there preaching this platform to all our small black owned businesses that partner with us. Shopify is helping drive the marketplace this year at our festival and their footprint and commitment to us and the community of black owned businesses is something I am proud to be a part of. Build your store, own your audience and create something that lasts. Start [e-mail] Breakfast Club what up y'?

[Nissan Commercial Narrator]

All?

[DJ Envy]

This is DHA Envy from the Breakfast Club, from Curtis 50 Cent Jackson and the executive producers of Power Comes the Stars original series Raising Canaan. Kanan's journey is driven by ambition and betrayal as he fights to escape the shadow of his mother Rock, played by Tony Grammy And NAACP award winning Patina Miller. As tensions rise, Kanan forges a dangerous alliance that sets off a war with his own blood, becoming the ruthless man he's destined to be. This final season is a must watch. Tune in when it drops and stay ahead of the spoilers. Catch the season premiere of raising Canaan June 12, only on Starz.

[Kal Penn]

Let's get to it. Time to do it.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I'm the homegirl that knows a little bit about everything and everybody. You know, she don't lie about that, right?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Lauren came in hot.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Hey, y', all, what's up? It's Lauren LaRosa. And this is another episode of the Latest with Lauren LaRosa. This is your daily dig on all things pop culture, entertainment news, and all of the conversations that shake the room, baby. Now today we are going to skip the behind the scenes of the grind. Check in because there is breaking news, literally that has been breaking for the last 24 hours in the case of Carmelo Anthony. Now, Carmelo Anthony, you guys may be familiar with this case, not in relation to Carmelo Anthony the basketball player, but Carmelo Anthony, at the time of, of the story being first reported, was a 17 year old track athlete from Texas who was charged with murder after a stabbing of another 17 year old boy from a track team that was opposite a rival Carmelo Anthony's track team. Now this case which has, you know, went from being a local incident between two high school teens, um, and has spread to a nationwide that is now questioning race self defense there. It's a widespread conversation. So here, here's the background information before we talk about the fact that Carmela Anthony, who is now 19 years old, was sentenced to murder and is facing from anywhere from five years to 99 years behind bars. So for background, if you are not following this case, some details. So back In April of 2025, police responded to an incident around 10am at a local stadium. This stadium was housing a ton of different high school athletes who were running track. They were there for a university interscholastic league district championship of some sort. So at this championship, there were various high school tents that were set up. It's a rainy day, you know, the weather's not the best, so the a bunch of different students are under the tent for their different high schools. And here's what is alleged to have happened because under the one of the tents is where the stabbing took place. So what is alleged to have happened is Carmelo Anthony went under a tent of an opposing high school. There was a kid at the Time named Austin Metcliffe from that other high school that approached Carmelo Anthony and. And told him, along with several other kids. I've seen reports that say up to 20 kids were surrounding in this tent. I've seen various numbers, though. But specifically and for was an exchange of words between Austin Metcliffe and Carmelo Anthony. The exchange of words was Austin allegedly telling Carmelo Anthony that he could not be under the tent, that he. That he needed to move. Carmelo Anthony refused to move. It's raining. He's under the tent. He's not wanting to move. And there were students who testified throughout this trial that one student being under another student's tent, like, you know, if you go to one high school and you go under the high school of another tent, that wasn't unheard of. Of. There were some coaches who testified that even though that wasn't unheard of, it was common. You know, once a student is asked to leave and go back to their tent or go. Or just leave the tent because they're under a different school's tent, that it wouldn't have been like an issue. But this unfolded completely differently because Austin Metcliffe ended up dead at the end of this altercation. So Carmelo Anthony is asked to leave the tent. He, according to what, you know, his team has presented throughout this case in court, felt like the way that he was approached was aggressive, that he was, you know, being pressed to leave this tent and that he needed to defend himself. Now, there are students, a couple students who did testify on stand that they saw Austin Metcliffe, who was the student that first approached Carmela Anthony, shove Carmelo Anthony once the shove happened. There are other students who allege that they heard Carmelo Anthony say, you know, touch me, or prior to the shove happening, that they heard Carmelo Anthony say, touch me and see what happens. And there was a backpack of some sort that Carmelo Anthony had. Again, these are high school students that Carmelo Anthony had, and there was a knife in the backpack. So there are students who then say that Anthony Metcliffe shoved Carmela Anthony and from there, Anthony Metcliffe was stabbed by Carmela Anthony. Now, Carmelo Anthony's team, his family, from his father, his mother, everyone has set 10 toes down from the very beginning that he was not the aggressor in this situation and also that he was acting in self defense. Now, in court, prosecutors on the other side argued that even if, you know, this were self defense, a shove shouldn't have been responded to with the stabbing of a knife. Now, the knife that Carmelo Anthony had was not illegal. In Texas, there are laws that are being pointed at that. You know, the knife that Carmela Anthony had and the size of it was legal, although they did have people testify from the school or from the various schools that were, you know, present at this match and other matches like this that there would have been no need for him to have it. However, Carmelo Anthony and his family are saying that he was in fear and that is what he responded to.

[Paramount BET Announcer]

Paramount is now the home of all your BET favorites.

[Commercial Voice]

What?

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yes.

[Paramount BET Announcer]

With all new episodes of Tyler Perry's Divorce Sisters you've always liked, a little drama, plus a whole new world of movies like Gladiator 2.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Now I will control an empire Original

[Paramount BET Announcer]

series like, like the Shy.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Just make sure we protect each other

[Paramount BET Announcer]

in live sports like ufc.

[Commercial Voice]

Welcome to the history books.

[Paramount BET Announcer]

New home, same family. Your BET favorites are now on Paramount plus subscribe now.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Peace of the planet Charlemagne, the God here. Now, y' all know I'm big on ownership. Owning your ideas, owning your business, owning your future. And that's exactly why I use Shopify. Shopify is the platform that lets you take an idea and actually build a real business out of it. All right? It gives anyone the tools and the storefront and the control. So you're not building on somebody else's platform or somebody else's algorithm. Okay? It's your own store, your community, your own customers. That relationship is yours to own. All right? What I love is how discoverable it makes everything. Shopify puts products everywhere people actually shop. Google, YouTube, TikTok, shop the shop app. Even inside ChatGPT, you can literally go from conversation to checkout. That's next level options in our changing world. And right now the Black Effect storefront is busy and Shopify is handling the heavy lifting. I am so excited that Shopify is going to show up at our Black Effect Podcast festival this year in a big way. And of course I'll be there preaching this platform and introducing this platform to all our small black owned businesses that partner with us. Shopify is helping drive the marketplace this year at our festival and their footprint and commitment to us and the community of black owned businesses is something I am proud to be a part of. Build your store, own your audience and create something that lasts. Start [e-mail] Breakfast Club.

[Kal Penn]

Hey everyone, it's Cal Penn, host of Earsay, the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club. This week on the podcast I'm sitting down with Divergent author Veronica Roth to talk about her sprawling new novel, Seek the Traitor's Son. It's a sci fi fantasy epic about two protagonists on opposite sides of a war and a prophecy neither of them wanted.

[Veronica Roth]

My first book was Divergent. And when that came out, like, because it was so popular, I think it attracted, like, mostly positivity, but the negativity I sucked in like a sponge. And I think it was like, critiques of things I liked when I was like, you know, I was 23 and I wrote this book and it had all my, like, dorky little cheesy or maybe unrealistic loves in it. And I started to feel a lot of shame about those things. And so for the rest of my career, I steered away from those little things that, like, make you feel pleasure when you read. But I also was like, saying no to these parts of myself that I then was like, screw it.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yeah.

[Veronica Roth]

So that's this book.

[Kal Penn]

Listen to Hearsay, the Audible and iHeart audiobook club on the iHeartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[DJ Envy]

What up, y'?

[Lauren LaRosa]

All?

[DJ Envy]

This is DHA Envy from the Breakfast Club. From Curtis, 50 Cent Jackson and the executive producers of Power comes the star's original series, Raisin Kanan. Kanan Stark's journey has been one of ambition and betrayal as he fights to escape the shadow of his mother, Rock, played by Tony, Grammy and NAACP award winning Patina Miller. As tensions rise, Kanan forges a dangerous alliance that sets off a war with his own blood, becoming the ruthless man he's destined to be. Raising Kanan is a story of power, family and betrayal where every choice has consequences and no one gets out clean. This final season is a must watch. You'll want to tune in for every episode as it drops. Don't let it get spoiled for you. Starring Makai Curtis, Shameik Moore, Wendell Pierce, Joey Badass, Tony Danza and more. Catch the season premiere of raising Canaan June 12th only on Starz Now.

[Lauren LaRosa]

This case has also picked up a lot of attention. I mentioned race in the beginning. Carmelo Anthony is a black young man. Austin Metcliffe is a white young man. Now, other issue of race played out here when it came to the jury selection because there were no black people on the jury, even though there were people of color on the jury. So there were 11 women and seven men on the jury. So it so 18 jurors and nobody black. There were people of color, but everybody else was white. I mean, and you can just understand how that looks, how that feels. There's actually, I mean, if you, if you just take out how it looks, how it feels and the fact that it just doesn't feel fair. And we'll get into what a jury of your peers actually means, because that's the burden that a court has to meet is by providing, if it's a jury trial, a jury of your peer. So we'll talk about that definition in a second. But you know, you have this young black boy who is on trial for a murder of someone that he is saying happened in self defense. And the biggest call out here is the fact that there are no people that, that immediately look like him and understand the safety pressures and, and safety thinking that he is trained by as a young black boy growing up in this world and in society. So of course that that raised major eyebrows and has been a conversation in a topic of this case, you know, since that jury selection happened. But we talked a bit about, you know, jury of your peers right now a lot of people are like, you know, jury of your peers is supposed to be fair. And all these things I learned when I was doing the Diddy trial and also when I covered Tory Lanez and Meg Thee Stallion's trial, that a jury of your peers is not always, does not always mean racially equal. So a jury of your peers means a criminal defendant's constitutional right to impartial jury selected from a fair cross section of the local community. It does not mean the jury will share your exact demographic, profession or age. Rather, it guarantees that jurors are your fellow ordinary citizens. So the peer definition in the US Legal system, peers refers to the general public residing within the same state or judicial district where the crime was allegedly committed. Now, I think for a lot of us, when we hear jury over appears, especially if you're a black person, you're like, yo, where's the black people? Now there were a few black people that were struck from the jury selection process before his jury was actually selected. But the court made it clear that because of course, his team pointed out the fact like, yo, y' all are getting rid of all of the black jurors. Like that is a problem here. The court said that they struck the black jurors because the black jurors were teachers or work with students, which because this was based on people who work with students, they weren't able to be on the jury. Now today, you know, the news surrounding this case is really, really sad because I mean, now you have this young boy who by the way, did not take the stand. Carmelo Anthony never took the stand for himself. Carmelo Anthony, who's now 19, right. At the time of the incident. He was 17. There's a Texas law that allows 17 year olds to be tried as adults, so he faces a sentence ranging from that five years to that 99 years if convicted.

[Paramount BET Announcer]

Paramount plus is now the home of all your BET favorites.

[Lauren LaRosa]

What?

[Mint Mobile Advertiser]

Yes.

[Paramount BET Announcer]

With all new episodes of Tyler Perry's Divorce. Sisters you've always liked, a little drama. Plus a whole new world of movies like Gladiator 2.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Now I will control an empire.

[Paramount BET Announcer]

Original series like the Shy.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Just make sure we protect each other.

[Paramount BET Announcer]

And live sports like ufc.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Welcome to the history books.

[Paramount BET Announcer]

New home, same family. Your BET favorites are now on Paramount Plus. Subscribe now.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Okay, so quick behind the scenes moment about my business. Because people always ask me, like, how do I actually run everything? So Shopify is literally the platform where I turned this tiny idea idea into a business. Before this, I was really just like popping up at any in person event, any vending opportunity I could, which I still do, but I wasn't really as focused online. I I was like, you know, the websites are going to be too much to build out. I'm not like a super techie person, even though I can make things cute. And I didn't want to put up a website that would run my customers away. I wanted it to be efficient, to be easy. And Shopify helped me build brown girlgrinding.com out. Once I switched to Shopify, it finally clicked like, okay, I can actually do this. It's not about it being tough. It's about using the right platform to make it easy. Shopify takes all of the guesswork out. I build my own store, I manage my community, own my own customer relationships. Plus, this is my favorite thing. Shopify gets my products everywhere. I'm able to link stuff through Google, YouTube, TikTok, shop the shop app, even chat, GPT and Instagram, which is very important for me and Shopify's AI co founder sidekick, game changer, let me tell y'.

[Commercial Voice]

All.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Right, so it's helped me not only optimize my site, it helps me look at my sales trends, it updates my product skills. All the stuff I'm absolutely not an expert in. But it's like having a genius business partner that never sleeps. And right now, the Brongard grinding storefront and the Black Effect storefront is busy and Shopify is handling all of the heavy lifting. I love that for us. I am pumped, like so pumped that Shopify is going to show up at the Black Effect Podcast festival this year in a big way. And I will be there preaching this platform to all of the small black owned businesses that partner with us. So if you've been sitting on an idea or if you're ready to scale, which you've already started, this is your sign. Go to shopify.com Ben if I can do it, you can do it too.

[Kal Penn]

Hey everyone, it's Kal Penn, host of Irsay the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club. This week on the podcast, I'm sitting down with Wil Wheaton, who played Gordie Lachance in stand by me 40 years ago and now narrates Stephen King's the Body, the novella that inspired it all. We talk about what it's like to return to a story that shaped his life, channeling his memories of River Phoenix in the recording booth and why the friendships you have at 12 might be the most important ones you'll ever have. I know Gordie Lachance. I am Gordy Lachance. Like, I mean, even when I was a little kid, I was Gordy Lachance when I didn't know it. Listen to Earsay the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club on the iHeartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[DJ Envy]

What up, y'?

[Lauren LaRosa]

All?

[DJ Envy]

This is DHA Envy from the Breakfast Club. From Curtis, 50 Cent Jackson and the executive producers of Power Comes the Stars original series Raising Kanan. Kanan Stark's journey has been one of ambition and betrayal as he fights to escape the shadow of his mother, Rock, played by Tony, Grammy and NAACP award winning Patina Miller. As tensions rise, Kanan forges a dangerous alliance that sets off a war with his own blood, becoming the ruthless man he's destined to be. Raising Kanan is a story of power, family and betrayal, where every choice has consequences and no one gets out clean. This final season is a must watch. You'll want to tune in for every episode as it drops. Don't let it get spoiled for you. Starring Makai Curtis, Shameik Moore, Wendell Pierce, Joey Badass, Tony Danza and more. Catch the season premiere of raising Canaan June 12th. Only on Starz Now.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Okay, so he was found guilty. His mother gets up in front of the court and she's the only person that testifies at this point of the trial for him in what they call the sentencing part of the trial. And she, from all reports of people who, you know, have sources that were inside of the courthouse was pleading for her son's life. I mean, I cannot imagine. Now here is a local news report, you know, from a local affiliate that had a person present in the courtroom when CARMELO Anthony's mother, Ms. Kayla Hay, stood up in tears, shaking, to plead for mercy for her son's life. Let's take a listen.

[Courtroom Reporter]

I just got some notes from our local reporter who is inside the courtroom room. So when that guilty verdict was read, I'm told that Carmelo Anthony was crying, he was shaking. His defense attorney kept his arm around his shoulders the entire time. And also I'm told that Austin Metcalf's twin brother, Hunter, this was the first time he was inside the courtroom when that guilty verdict was read. I'm told it was really emotional from both sides after that murder verdict. And as for what's next, well, now it's the sentencing phase. He is charged with murder so he could face up to life in prison. The same exact juror, they're the ones who decide how long he remains behind bars. And that's what this sentencing phase in. And that sentencing phase is that reporter inside the courtroom tells me that Carpenter Mello Anthony's mother, he has already, she's already taken the stand. This is a direct quote. She said, quote, he is my oldest, my firstborn, my baby. I love him very much. I'm told that she had mascara running down her face and asked the jury, quote, please have mercy on my son. And then the prosecutor sort of cross examined her and said, isn't it true you could still have a relationship with your son while he's behind bars? So, so this is sort of the next phase. Right now the jury is going to decide how long he is behind bars for. And they're going to call some character witnesses, including his mom that you just heard from. And I'll step out of the way. I mean, outside here, outside the courtroom, we've been expecting this will, but about 100 Carmelo Anthony protesters interrupted out here. At least one person was detained after they read that guilty verdict. And as you see, can see it is all hands on deck when it comes to the sheriff's office. They prepared for this. There's been barriers out here and really, man, it's crazy.

[Lauren LaRosa]

One split second, the way that, that it just changed both of these young men's life because one person's life was taken, one person is about to be in jail for, you know, his life is, is. Is going down too. But prosecutors and pushing back as Carmela Anthony's mom is breaking down in front of the court, they asked her if she had love for her son still. And she says, you know, yes, regardless of what happened, you realize that, you realize he will still get to be a Part of your life. And she replied, yes, she did. And again, she was the only witness to take the stand for the defense in the sentencing thus far. So the actual sentencing is to come. And the way that the sentencing works is that they'll have people come and they'll read various things or make, you know, make various statements to try and plead for the court to take it easy on in this sentencing. Now, the jury did have the ability to take it a bit easy, and they decided not to. The jury deliberated for less than three hours, which, I mean less than three hours on a deliberation. That means that they were very sold on what they heard by all of the witnesses and the, you know, the cross examinations that didn't convince them. Like, I don't know, man, I just, I feel so bad for these young kids who are caught up in all of this. First of all, you don't want to see no black young man caught up in no system. You just don't. We all know like before this even begin, you knew like, okay, white family, black, young boy. I mean, writers, right. Wrong is wrong. And I understand that people are arguing that, that but like when you add an all white or non black jewelry, right, because they're going to point to people of color. I mean, what, like it's, this is, this is tough because it's like you, A loss of life is a loss of life at the end of the day as well too. But you just, you, you just never want to see it on both sides. You never want to see a young black man caught up in the system because of a split moment at all in general, having to explain self defense, nothing. You never want to see it. And you also never want to see a kid's life taken before, you know, they've even gotten to live their life at all. So this is just a sad case all around. Yeah. And we'll just have to keep you guys updated. I do plan on speaking to a civil rights activist from a organization that I'll get more into in the following episode. So I'll be speaking to a civil rights activist from an organization that has been on the ground supporting this case, bringing light to this case, giving the family a platform of Carmelo Anthony and speaking about just the racial, you know, disparities that are. I mean, it's on his face here, right? Like it's easy to see. So there are allegations that the DA in this case, the judge and Austin Metcalfe's, Austin Metcalf's dad all knew each other prior to this case. So people are also pointing and calling that out. And, you know, and look, there's a criminal justice system here that can appeal and appeal and appeal, but lesbian. It's tough for us. Let's be honest.

[Commercial Voice]

It is.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I just. I feel for this family. I feel for the loss of life as well, too. But I just remember what I was doing at the ages of 17 and 19 and how young I was and just, oh, my God. God bless them. God bless them. So we'll be back with more updates as this develops. And again, I'll be bringing you guys that interview with a very special source close to the case who has been, again, just on the front lines fighting to make sure that this case was heard all over. A guy named Dominique Alexander from National Action Generational Network. Yeah. So we'll be back with that. Make sure you guys stay tuned. It's Laura Rosa. I tell you guys all the time that you could be anywhere with anybody talking about all of the things, but you guys choose to be right here with me. I don't know if you guys could tell, but this was a tough one for me to talk about. It's just so. It breaks my heart to see young black people caught up in things like this. It breaks my heart to see young people in their lives just here one day, going tomorrow. But we got to get down to, you know, we got to get down to it. And when we get down to it, we'll be investigating more of some of the racial discrepancies in this case, because the fact of the matter is, is that's what happens once we. We as black people are introduced to the system. It's. It's not a fair game at that point. So we'll. We'll continue to have these discussions. Make sure you guys check back here at the Latest with Lauren LaRosa for that. I'm Lauren LaRosa. I appreciate you guys, my lowriders, and I'll catch you in my next episode.

[Kal Penn]

Hey, everyone, it's Kel Penn. I'm inviting you to join the best sounding book club you've ever heard with my podcast, Hearsay, The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club. Every episode, I nerd out with amazing guests and dive into the best new audiobook books available on Audible. It's the book club for your ears. Listen to Earsay, the Audible and iHeart audiobook club on the iHeartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Commercial Voice]

Here's the truth. You could literally be adored by everyone and then come home and still get completely ignored by your own cat. It's classic cat behavior, but new Sheba Premium Puree is a lickable treat that changes all that. They're protein rich, made with bone broth and have the smooth, creamy texture cats go crazy for, especially when it's hand fed. Yeah, it's more than a treat, it's a fast pass to favorite human status. So feed your cat Sheba and go from totally ignored to truly adored in just 12 days. Guaranteed or your money back.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Learn [e-mail] There's a difference between liking a house and actually getting it. Redfin is built to make up that difference and close the gap between finding and owning the home for you. Redfin Redfin agents close twice as many deals as other agents, so when you find a home you love, you're not a step behind when it comes to making an offer. That means less watching great homes disappear and more focus on the one you'll call home. Redfin helps turn saved listings into real addresses. Get [e-mail] own the dream Ryan Reynolds

[Mint Mobile Advertiser]

here from Mint Mobile with a message for everyone Paying Big Wireless Way too much. Please, for the love of everything good in this world, stop with Mint. You can get premium wireless for just $15 a month, of course, if you enjoy overpaying. No judgments. But that's weird. Okay, one judgment anyway. Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment

[Lauren LaRosa]

of $45 for three month plan equivalent to $15 per month required intro rate first three months only, then full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra. See full [e-mail] this is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.