Stephen A. Smith is not mincing words when it comes to his take on the Karmelo Anthony verdict.

On a recent episode of his Straight Shooter podcast, the commentator said, "Karmelo Anthony murdered Austin Metcalf. There is no other way to slice it."

Anthony was convicted of murder and sentenced to 35 years behind bars after he stabbed and killed 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, in April 2025.

Convicted Killer Karmelo Anthony Sentenced To 35 Years After Yearlong Legal Battle: Timeline

Smith also challenged the idea coming from Anthony's legal team that he was "acting in self-defense" when he stabbed and killed Metcalf.

Karmelo Anthony Trial Ignites Rival Camps That Threaten To Get In Jurors’ Heads In Track Meet Stabbing: Expert

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The deadly altercation on that fateful April day started when Anthony entered another team's tent at a high school track meet. Metcalf and his twin brother, Hunter, approached Anthony, who was sitting under their team's tent. The brothers asked him to leave as it was not his team's tent.

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The ESPN commentator also said, "How does that justify Karmelo Anthony pulling out a knife?"

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Smith also mentioned in his podcast that he was "not happy" with the makeup of the jury for the Anthony case.

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"I'm not happy with the sentencing because I'm not happy with the jury — 18 jurors, about six minorities, none of whom happen to be Black? I don't believe that's being judged by a 'jury of your peers'," he said.

The jury for the trial consisted of 12 jurors with six alternates, totaling 18.

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However, throughout the podcast, Smith still maintained his stance on the case that has brought about controversial divide and racial undertones.

"You know what really hits home for me?" he paused.

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He went on to say, "I think it would hit home for any parent who sends their child to high school — is fully aware that they're competing in track, and they get a call or a knock at the door, and they're told that their child is never, ever coming home again."

In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, Solange Sinclair, a representative for Smith, said,

"Stephen A. mentioned this to highlight the case should not have to do with race, but rather raise questions regarding the jury chosen and the sentence length. With the Texas charge of criminally negligent homicide, he questions why Karmelo Anthony could not receive this sentence, and also noted the jury felt biased given the lack of African American representation to be judged by a jury of Anthony’s ‘peers’."

Original article source: Stephen A. Smith says 'Karmelo Anthony murdered Austin Metcalf'