Cardi B slams “disgusting” verdict in high-profile Texas teen murder case

US rapper Cardi B has criticised the 35-year prison sentence given to Karmelo Anthony, calling the verdict “disgusting” and raising concerns about the case.

A jury in Collin County, Texas, found Anthony, 19, guilty of murder on 9 June over the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf at a school track meet in Frisco on 2 April 2025. Both teenagers were 17 at the time of the incident.

The artist reacted on social media shortly after the verdict, saying the decision was not justice but an attempt to “make an example”. She later expanded on her views during an online audio discussion.

She expressed sympathy for both families, saying Metcalf’s parents had lost their son, while Anthony’s parents had “lost a child to the system”. She described Anthony as a teenager from a stable background who showed visible emotion after the incident and during sentencing.

The rapper also raised concerns about possible racial bias, suggesting the outcome could have been different if the individuals involved were of different races. She said the case had influenced how she would advise her own children about handling conflict.

Discussing the incident, she argued Anthony may have acted in self-defence, claiming he was outnumbered during the confrontation. She also questioned whether the situation could have been de-escalated earlier by involving school staff.

She criticised the jury’s decision and said a manslaughter charge would have been more appropriate, arguing there was no evidence of premeditation. The 35-year sentence, she said, was excessive for a teenager with no prior criminal record.

The case has become one of the most widely debated legal stories in the United States this year, drawing strong reactions online and raising broader questions about youth violence, race, and the justice system.