Rep. Jasmine Crockett Challenges Murder Conviction in Podcast

U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett recently shared some controversial views during a podcast episode, suggesting that the knife used by 19-year-old Carmelo Anthony, who was found guilty of first-degree murder, was too small to be a lethal weapon.

During a two-hour livestream of her podcast, “Please measure with a croquet,” Crockett spoke about Anthony’s conviction for stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalfe to death. While expressing condolences for Metcalfe’s family, she also indicated that her own white family doesn’t fully grasp the struggles faced by Black women, asserting the discussion seemed too much centered around her perspective.

“Black women, particularly those with children fathered by Black men, encounter fear and pain daily… I can assure you, the Metcalfe family has likely never endured such fear, and it’s crucial we have a meaningful dialogue about race in this country,” Crockett commented during the show.

She went on to claim that Anthony’s choice of weapon didn’t qualify as a “murder weapon,” implying that its size revealed a lack of intent. “It’s small, so I don’t view it as deadly,” she said, adding that if a person were wielding a larger weapon, that would signify more serious intent.

Crockett also emphasized that Anthony had “only stabbed Mr. Metcalfe once,” asserting that the court should consider the number of times someone is stabbed when determining justice.

“As a 5-foot-3 woman, if a 300-pound man were to overpower me, I wouldn’t just stand there and fight back,” she explained. “If someone much stronger than me holds me down, I…I doubt I would survive.”

“And like George Floyd, they didn’t showcase their so-called ‘weapons’ at that time, did they?” she added.

Crockett, who previously worked as a criminal defense and civil rights attorney, defended Anthony. As the topic of the murder weapon and Anthony’s 35-year sentence came under scrutiny, she remarked that the term “knife” doesn’t accurately portray what happened. “He only hit Austin once, but where did he hit him?” Crockett asked, arguing that it wasn’t a premeditated act.

“Texas has a sentencing range of 5 to 99 years, or even life, for good reason. When you assess the gravity and intent behind this, 35 years for a kid just looking for shelter from the rain seems extreme. I know the mindset of being a Black person in this country… It’s a shame there was so little empathy for this boy, who was just frightened,” she elaborated.

When questioned if a white defendant would receive the same 35-year sentence under the same circumstances, Crockett emphatically stated, “I can guarantee you he wouldn’t.” She implied that a white teen would likely escape a murder charge altogether.

Crockett’s term in Congress will conclude at the end of her current session. She previously campaigned for a U.S. Senate seat but opted not to seek reelection for her House position after losing the Democratic primary. Her service will end on January 3, 2027.