James Talarico, 36, is facing backlash after comments about the Karmelo Anthony murder trial drew accusations he sided with the convicted killer.
The Texas Democratic Senate nominee made the remarks during an appearance on “The Breakfast Club” radio show earlier this month when asked about the high-profile case. Talarico, who is seeking to become the first Democrat elected to the Senate from Texas since 1988, used the case to argue the justice system “is not working for black Texans.”
“Well, I’ve done a lot of work in the state house on justice reform, and right now we’ve got a system that doesn’t serve all Americans equally, and we know that black Texans have not gotten the justice they deserve in many cases,” Talarico said.
“I’m not an expert on this particular case,” he added, “but I know that there were no black members of the jury, and to me that’s the only evidence you need to really prove that this system is not working for black Texans.”
Conservatives quickly pounced on the comments. Texas Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton wrote on X, sharing a clip of Talarico’s appearance: “Karmelo Anthony was a violent criminal who killed Austin Metcalf in cold blood. James Talarico sides with a murderer.”
Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) similarly argued on the platform: “Karmelo Anthony stabbed 17-year-old Austin Metcalf to death for absolutely no reason. And [Talarico] sides with the killer.”
Conservative CNN pundit Scott Jennings posted on X: “Talarico’s answer on there being six genders will be more popular in Texas than this pandering insanity. Woooooof.”
Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet argued on X that Talarico was siding with Anthony “to pander for black votes because Jasmine Crockett voters are still mad at him, and because he’s effeminate and naturally turns them off.” Talarico defeated Crockett in the Senate Democratic primary, and the congresswoman has thus far refused to campaign for him.
“He’s willing to ignore the evidence and stoke a race war for votes. Disgraceful, truly,” Kolvet added.
Another X user quipped, “Everyone who fatally stabs someone in the heart in front of a lot of people and then confesses the crime to the cops deserves a US Senator who advocates for him and his rights this passionately.”
A conservative lawyer on X, identified as Eric W., expressed concern with Talarico’s “implied belief that racial quotas are necessary for juries.”
“Of course, under Batson, neither side can discriminate on race in selecting jurors,” the lawyer continued, “But Talarico appears to *want* discrimination in the form of quota.”
In the viral moment that sparked the political firestorm, Anthony, 18, was found guilty of murdering Austin Metcalf, 17, after a spat over seating under a tent at a track and field meet in Frisco, Texas in April 2025. The dispute began when Metcalf, who is white, told Anthony, who is black, to leave the team tent. Anthony responded by plunging a knife into Metcalf’s chest, killing him, prosecutors said. A Collin County jury — composed of white, Asian and Hispanic members — deliberated for about three hours before finding Anthony guilty of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the killing. During jury selection, defense attorneys had objected after prosecutors used peremptory strikes to remove three prospective Black jurors, but Judge John Roach Jr. Overruled the Batson challenge.
Talarico’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.