Cardi B appeared to slam Karmelo Anthony’s 35-year prison sentence after the Texas teen was convicted of murder in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf.
The rapper reacted on X after a Collin County jury found Anthony guilty and sentenced him in the 2025 killing, writing, “Wow! Just freakin wow! DISGUSTING… This is not justice, this is trying to make an example!!!”
The rapper later retweeted several messages supporting Anthony, who was 17 at the time of the stabbing and is now 19.
Anthony admitted to stabbing Metcalf, but his attorneys argued during trial that he acted in self-defense. Jurors rejected that argument, as well as a “sudden passion” claim that could have reduced the possible sentence.
The fatal encounter happened in 2025 at a Texas high school track meet. Prosecutors said Anthony stabbed Metcalf after a dispute turned deadly. First Assistant District Attorney Bill Wirskye told jurors in closing arguments, “This case has nothing to do with race. This case has nothing to do with self-defense. This was an unprovoked, unjustified murder. It is senseless.”
The verdict quickly sparked debate online and in the community. The Collin County NAACP said it was “enraged” by the outcome and questioned “fairness, representation, and confidence in our justice system.”
Jury selection also faced backlash after reports that the 12-member jury and six alternates included no Black jurors.
Anthony faced a possible maximum sentence of 99 years in prison.