
Loading summary
Lauren LaRosa
This is an iHeart podcast.
UnitedHealthcare Spokesperson
Guaranteed Human so women are not smaller versions of men. I mean, you already know that, but sports medicine has only recently started to clue in. Thankfully, UnitedHealthcare totally gets it. As young female athletes, a lot of us weren't taught enough about everything our sports demanded from our bodies. But things are improving, and UnitedHealthcare is working to make support more accessible for every athlete. Learn more about how UnitedHealthcare is committed to care@uhc.com care hey, it's Ryan Seacrest
Ryan Seacrest
for Albertsons and Safeway. Ready to save. It's time for cyber deals. Kick off summer with fresh savings that brighten the season. You don't want to miss these exclusive week long digital offers on your favorite products that are only available when you shop online. Save on eligible items from Gatorade, Oreo, Frito, Lay, and Dove. Only available now through June 16th on pickup or delivery orders only. Restrictions apply. See the website for full terms and conditions.
Lauren LaRosa
There's a fire inside you you can't ignore. Stand still. Not a chance. You're a lifelong learner who's come this far. Now we are here to help you keep going further. Capella University what can't you do? Visit capella.edu to learn more.
Podcast Narrator/Advertiser
Based on the bestselling novel from Carly Fortune, the new prime original series every year after follows Sam and Percy across six summers as they take a second chance at a love that never really let go. It's the kind of story that brings you back to a summer crush you fully got over or a friendship that almost turned into something more with slow burn tension, lakeside nostalgia, and that lingering what if it's the kind of show people say they couldn't stop watching and were a little emotionally destroyed by? In the best way. Watch every year after streaming June 10th only on Prime.
Ray Porter
Let's get to it. Time to do it.
Lauren LaRosa
I'm the homegirl that knows a little bit about everything and everybody exclusive. You know she don't lie about that, right?
UnitedHealthcare Spokesperson
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 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 was 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 the 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 sure u 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 stood 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 Carmelo 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.
UnitedHealthcare Spokesperson
Health insurance matters, especially for athletes. But health care isn't some one size fits all proposition, even though it's been treated that way forever. Thankfully, UnitedHealthcare has been rethinking things. As young female athletes, a lot of us grew up without fully understanding what our sports demanded from our bodies. We weren't taught enough about proper fueling, recovery, or even how women's bodies develop over time. And when injuries happened, the focus was mostly physical, but the mental side totally ignored. But when you're all about being an athlete and you suddenly can't compete, that's tough. It's one reason many women don't return to sport after serious injuries. But things are improving. Research is starting to focus on female athletes, not just treating them like smaller versions of men. But there's still a gap. Real recovery takes a connected care team, and UnitedHealthcare is working to make that kind of support more accessible so every athlete keeps moving forward. Learn more about how UnitedHealthcare is committed to care@uhc.com care hey everyone, it's Cal Penn.
Cal Penn
I'm the host of Irsay The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club. This week on the podcast, I am sitting down with Ray Porter, the narrator of Andy Weir's audiobook project, Hail Mary Massive Sci fi adventure about survival and science and what happens when you wake up alone, very far from Earth.
Ray Porter
I really had to make a decision because I caught myself getting that frog in my throat and starting to get teary as I'm narrating some of these sections and it's like, okay, yo yo yo, is this indulgent? And I really thought about it. I was like, no. At this point it would kind of be betraying the trust the the author and the listener have in telling this story if I don't go through it. But there's places in this book that deeply, emotionally affected me and I left it on the mic. That's great because it served the story. People will say like, oh my God, I cried at the end. It's like, yeah dude, me too.
Cal Penn
Listen to Hearsay, the Audible and iHeart audiobook club on the iHeartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts.
Ryan Seacrest
Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons n Safeway. Ready to save? It's time for cyber deals. Kick off summer with fresh savings that brighten the season. You don't want to miss these exclusive week long digital offers on your favorite products that are only available when you shop online. Save on eligible items from Gatorade, Oreo, Frito, Lay and Dove. Only available now through June 16th on pickup or delivery orders Only restrictions apply. See the website for full terms and conditions.
Hoda Kotb
Joy is essential, and it's also elusive. You can't order it, you can't borrow it, or simply hope it into life. But now there's a new and exciting way to start your journey toward a more joyful existence. Joy 101 it's a new podcast hosted by me, Hoda Kotb. Together, guys, we'll have meaningful conversations with the world's most fascinating people. Entertainment legends, sports icons, wellness experts and everyday people will share how they find allow and experience joy and I'll offer some of my own tips and takes on seeking a more balanced and harmonious life. If you're craving inspiration, support and useful tools to maximize your joy, tune into these candid, uplifting and moving on air chats. Joy after a breakup Joy as an empty nester Joy after a loss Joy as a Caretaker this new podcast will speak to you. Listen to Joy 101 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast 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 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. So of course that that raised major eyebrows and has a conversation and 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 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 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 appearance, 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 worked with students, they, they weren't able to be on the jury. Now today, you know, the news surrounding this case is, 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, to that 99 years if convicted.
UnitedHealthcare Spokesperson
Health insurance matters, especially for athletes. But healthcare isn't some one size fits all proposition, even though it's been treated that way forever. Thankfully, UnitedHealthcare has been rethinking things. As young female athletes, a lot of us grew up without fully understanding what our sports demanded from our bodies. We weren't taught enough about proper fueling recovery or even how women's bodies develop over time. And when injuries happened, the focus was mostly physical, but the mental side totally ignored. But when you're all about being an athlete and you suddenly can't compete, that's tough. It's one reason many women don't return to sport after serious injuries. But things are improving. Research is starting to focus on female athletes, not just treating them like smaller versions of men. But there's still a gap. Real recovery takes a connected care team. And UnitedHealthcare is working to make that kind of support more accessible so every athlete keeps moving forward. Learn more about how UnitedHealthcare is committed to care@uhc.com care hey everyone, it's Cal Penn.
Cal Penn
I'm the host of Irsay The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club. This week on the podcast, I am sitting down with Ray Porter, the narrator of Andy Weir's audiobook project Hail Mary Massive Sci fi adventure about survival and science and what happens when you wake up alone, very far from Earth.
Ray Porter
I really had to make a decision because I caught myself getting that frog in my throat and starting to get teary as I'm narrating some of these sections and it's like, okay, yo yo yo, is this indulgent? And I really thought about it. I was like, no. At this point it would kind of be betraying the trust the author and the listener have in telling this story if I don't go through it. But there's places in this book that deeply, emotionally affected me and I left it on the mic. That's great because it served the story. People will say like, oh my God, I cried at the end. It's like, yeah dude, me too.
Cal Penn
Listen to Hearsay, the Audible and iHeart audiobook club on the iHeartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts.
Ryan Seacrest
Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway for you. Save days are here now through June 23rd. Find hot deals throughout the store and earn four times the points. Look for in store tags to earn on eligible items from General Mills, Pillsbury, Snickers, Oreo, Chillamook, Ziploc, Gold, Peak and Heinz. Then clip the offer in the app for automatic event long savings. Stack up those rewards to save even more. Enjoy savings on top of savings when you shop in store or online for easy pickup or delivery, restrictions apply. See the website for full terms and conditions.
Hoda Kotb
Joy is essential, and it's also elusive. You can't order it, you can't borrow it or simply hope it into life. But now there's a new and exciting way to start your journey toward a more joyful existence. Joy 101. It's a new podcast hosted by me, Hoda Kotb. Together guys, we'll have meaningful conversations with the world's most fascinating people. Entertainment legends, sports icons, wellness experts and everyday people will share how they find, allow and experience joy. And I'll offer some of my own tips and takes on seeking a more balanced and harmonious life. If you're craving inspiration, support and you useful tools to maximize your joy, tune into these candid, uplifting and moving on air chats. Joy after a breakup Joy as an empty nester Joy after a loss Joy as a caretaker, this new podcast will speak to you. Listen to Joy 101 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts 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 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 in inside the courtroom. 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, 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 Carmelo 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 loved 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 bar bars? 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 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.
Lauren LaRosa
And really, man, it's crazy, 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, 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, right is 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, 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 d. A. In this case, the judge and austin metcalf'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 let's be. It's tough for us. Let's be honest.
Hoda Kotb
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 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 larosa. 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. 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.
Courtroom Reporter
It's.
Lauren LaRosa
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.
UnitedHealthcare Spokesperson
So women are not smaller versions of men. I mean, you already know that, but sports medicine has only recently started to clue in. Thankfully, UnitedHealthcare totally gets it. As young female athletes, a lot of us weren't taught enough about everything our sports demanded from our bodies. But things are improving, and UnitedHealthcare is working to make support more accessible for every athlete. Learn more about how UnitedHealthcare is committed to care@uhc.com care what's up cousin? I want a new phone.
Hoda Kotb
Have you seen any good deals?
Podcast Narrator/Advertiser
Everyone has free phones, but when I
Lauren LaRosa
switched to T mobile I got more value and so much more like streaming
UnitedHealthcare Spokesperson
included and travel benefits.
Ryan Seacrest
And the best part? The price of your talk, text and data is to going guaranteed for five years. Get more benefits and more value. AT T Mobile Family Save and get a 5 year price guarantee. Switch now@t mobile.com Qualifying plan requires price guarantee on doc tax and theta exclusions like taxes and fees apply. CT mobile.com hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. Ready to save. It's time for cyber deals. Kick off summer with fresh savings that brighten the season. You don't want to miss these exclusive week long digital offers on your favorite products that are only available when you shop online. Save on eligible items from Gatorade, Oreo, Frito, Lay and Dove. Only available now through June 16th on pickup or delivery orders only. Restrictions apply. See the website for full terms and conditions.
Lauren LaRosa
There's a fire inside you you can't ignore. Stand still. Not a chance. You're a lifelong learner who's come this far. Now we are here to help you keep going further. Capella University what can't you do?
Podcast Narrator/Advertiser
Visit capella.edu to learn more.
Lauren LaRosa
This is an iHeart podcast.
Podcast Narrator/Advertiser
Guaranteed Human.
The Latest with Loren LaRosa
Episode: A Tragic Verdict: The Carmelo Anthony Case Explained
Air Date: June 10, 2026
Host: Loren LaRosa (The Black Effect Podcast Network & iHeartPodcasts)
This episode delivers a detailed, emotionally charged breakdown of the Carmelo Anthony murder trial verdict—a Texas case that has sparked national debate around youth violence, race, self-defense, and systemic inequities in the criminal justice system. Loren LaRosa unpacks the story from the incident’s origins to the courtroom drama and the broader social implications, foregrounding voices from the community, the courtroom, and her own lived perspective.
([02:01] - [07:43])
Incident Recounted:
Competing Testimonies:
Loren’s Framing:
([11:14] - [14:42])
Race and Jury Composition:
Broader Implications:
[18:19] - [20:51]
Guilty Verdict:
Sentencing Details:
Loren’s Reaction:
[20:51] - [25:49]
Host’s Personal Reflection:
Allegations of Bias & Next Steps:
On systemic racial dynamics:
On the emotional toll of the case:
On broader heartbreak:
Loren LaRosa’s coverage of the Carmelo Anthony case is clear-eyed, compassionate, and firmly rooted in the realities faced by young Black Americans navigating the justice system. She underscores both the tragedy of lost lives and the weight of criminal labels at a formative age, pushing listeners to reflect on systemic change and promising sustained, activist-driven coverage in subsequent episodes.