Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett is drawing attention for remarks she made about the murder of a high school student during a recent episode of her podcast.
On Tuesday, a Collin County jury deliberated for about three hours before finding 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony guilty of first-degree murder. Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison for stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf to death at a Frisco, Texas, track meet last April.
Speaking on her show, “Clock It with Crockett,” the representative discussed the case and questioned the nature of the murder weapon.
“Was it a switch? I don’t know what he had,” she said.
After a guest suggested the knife was similar to a small multi-tool, Crockett agreed.
“Yeah, like with the little scissors and everything and whatever. So it was small,” she said. “Well, I would argue the size of it alone you wouldn’t even think it’s a deadly weapon.”
Court records and trial testimony present a different description. Officials described the weapon as a five-inch pocket knife with a semi-serrated blade that could be opened with one hand. Medical testimony confirmed the knife pierced Metcalf’s sternum and entered his heart, leaving a two-inch wound.
During the podcast, Crockett also described a hypothetical physical struggle to explain her view on the altercation.
“If a 300-lb. man is beating me, like on top of me and beating me down, I’m not limited to fists,” she said.
According to the physical dimensions provided during the investigation, Metcalf did not weigh 300 pounds. He was 6 feet tall and weighed 200 pounds. Anthony was listed as 5-foot-11 and 162 pounds.
Witnesses at the trial, including 18-year-old Eddie Parra, testified that the confrontation started when Metcalf tried to get Anthony to leave a track team tent. Parra told the court that Anthony became aggressive, telling Metcalf, “you’re going to have to move me,” and reached into a bag to indicate he had a weapon. When Metcalf shoved him, Anthony pulled the knife.
Collin County District Attorney Bill Wirskye referred to the stabbing as a “sneak attack” during the trial proceedings.
Following the episode’s release, several clips circulated on social media platforms. Users quickly pointed out the differences between Crockett’s statements on the podcast and the established facts of the recently concluded trial.
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