George Washington University law professor emerita W. Burlette Carter stated on June 14, 2026, that Karmelo Anthony should be granted a new trial. Anthony, 19, was convicted of murder in the stabbing death of Austin Metcalf, 17, and sentenced to 35 years in prison. Carter argued that Anthony did not receive a jury of his peers, claiming that minorities are not interchangeable. She noted that she had not read the full trial transcript but believed that Anthony's trial was unfair based on available information.
Carter highlighted that the jury composition did not reflect a single race, including members from various ethnic backgrounds, contrary to claims that the jury was all white. She criticized the prosecution's decision to strike black jurors who were educators, asserting that this was a pretext. Additionally, she suggested that Anthony's court-appointed attorney did not adequately represent him and called for a new lawyer for his appeal.
Carter also expressed concerns about the trial judge's conduct, suggesting that he should be disqualified due to potential bias affecting the defendant's appeal rights.