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Karmelo Anthony's Grandmother Sparks Outrage with 'Racist!' Shout After Verdict

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McKINNEY, Texas — Karmelo Anthony’s grandmother was filmed shouting “Racist!” as she left a Texas courthouse in an Acura sedan — hours after her 19-year-old grandson was convicted of murdering fellow teen Austin Metcalf and sentenced to 35 years in prison.

“Racist! Bias!” Toni Hayes yells through the passenger side window of a black car on Tuesday amid the throngs of protesters outside the court in McKinney, Texas, in the Dallas suburbs.

The chant appeared to start among the crowd of mostly black supporters who gathered ahead of Tuesday’s verdict in the murder trial — which saw Anthony’s family quickly claim he was the victim of racism.

Karmelo Anthony's mom in the passenger seat of a car, looking out the window.

Kayla Hayes speaks to the crowd after she leaves court following Karmelo Anthony’s conviction. Jared Downing / NY Post

Karmelo Anthony's mom in a car, speaking to a crowd and being filmed, with a phone showing a livestream of her.

Karmelo Anthony’s mom shouts “Racist!” to the crowd after her grandson is sentenced for fatally stabbing Austin Metcalf. Jared Downing / NY Post

A woman and man in a car making heart gestures with their hands.

Karmelo Anthony’s grandmother thanks the crowd for their support after her grandson was sentenced for the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf. Jared Downing / NY Post

“We love Karmelo! We love him!” one supporter yells at Hayes after the teen was sentenced to 35 years for the fatal stabbing at a Frisco high school track meet.

Mugshot of Karmelo Anthony.

Karmelo Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison. Frisco Police Department

Hayes is also heard saying, “Send that message that they can do whatever,” before making a heart gesture at her killer grandson’s supporters.

“Keep your head up!” another supporter yells, as others shout, “Power to the people!” and “Free Karmelo!”

On Tuesday, a jury found Anthony guilty of murdering Metcalf in April last year in what he claimed was an act of self-defense.

Austin Metcalf, a junior at Memorial High School in Frisco.

Austin Metcalf was fatally stabbed by Karmelo Anthony in 2025. Meghan Prall Metcalf/Facebook

Supporters of Karmelo Anthony protest in front of the Collin County courthouse in McKinney, Texas.

Karmelo Anthony supporters gather outside the Collin County Courthouse on Thursday, June 4, 2026. AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

Jurors also rejected his argument that the killing happened in the “passion of the moment,” which would have reduced the charges to second-degree murder.