Karmelo Anthony’s – Viral clips of Toni Hayes and Kayla Hayes reacting outside a Texas courthouse have amplified outrage after Karmelo Anthony received a 35-year prison sentence. As officials transferred him to state prison on June 10, his attorneys filed a formal notice of appea
Karmelo Anthony’s 35-year prison sentence set off an immediate wave of anger outside the Collin County Courthouse in Texas—loud enough that it spilled into viral video.
In one clip that’s been widely shared, Anthony’s grandmother, Toni Hayes, walks toward a vehicle as supporters and protestors gather. As she moves, Toni chants “Prejudice!” “Racist!” and “Biased!” Her words quickly pull others into the moment, with many of Anthony’s supporters repeating her chants.
Before she drove away, Toni said, “They sent that message that they can do whatever the f*** they want to do.” In the same footage, supporters shout, “We love Karmelo! We love him!”
The frustration isn’t confined to the courthouse steps. In another viral burst of attention tied to the sentence. clips from Anthony’s parents’ interview with CBS News spread online as Kayla Hayes continued defending her son. She said she knows he isn’t a murderer and insisted he would never hurt anyone.
“I know my son. My son is no murderer.” Kayla added, “My son didn’t intend to hurt anyone. My son was defending himself and that’s what hurts so bad.” She also said the family and Karmelo’s loved ones will keep pushing for justice. “We’ve just been praying and keeping the faith.”
While his family argues for innocence and fairness, the legal process has also moved forward. Shortly after receiving the 35-year prison sentence, officials transferred Karmelo Anthony to a Texas state prison. A new mugshot shows Anthony with a noticeably different appearance. including a shaved head and what appears to be a sleeveless prison-issued tunic.
Officials moved him from county jail to state prison on Wednesday, June 10, where he will begin serving his 35-year sentence in the death of Austin Metcalf.
Even with the transfer underway, Anthony’s legal team is pressing ahead. His attorneys filed a notice of appeal following the sentence. In a statement, lawyer Mike Howard said the defense believes the court must consider additional issues moving forward.
“After the conclusion of the trial yesterday. we gave the court our official notice that Karmelo Anthony is filing an appeal. We believe there are several important issues for the appellate courts to consider. An appeal is the next part of the legal process and a right afforded every American,” Howard said.
The sequence on social media is now hard to miss: Toni’s chants outside the courthouse frame the sentence as prejudice. Kayla’s comments center the same outcome as an injustice connected to self-defense. and the next step in the courtroom is already underway through the notice of appeal—set against the backdrop of a state prison transfer on June 10.
As the videos keep circulating, Karmelo Anthony’s case remains defined by two realities moving at the same speed: supporters and family members insisting the punishment is wrong, and the legal system shifting the case into its appeal phase while he begins serving the 35-year term.
Karmelo Anthony Toni Hayes Kayla Hayes 35-year sentence Texas courthouse Collin County Courthouse June 10 transfer notice of appeal Mike Howard Austin Metcalf
35 years is insane. I’m sorry but the jury did not get it right.
They keep calling it racist and biased but I didn’t even see what happened in court. The grandma yelling “prejudice” on a video doesn’t prove anything to me, just saying.
Wait so he was defending himself and that’s why it hurts? That’s what they’re saying, but 35 years still sounds like they hit him with the book. Also mugshot looks totally different with the shaved head like that changes the story lol.
This is why people don’t trust the system. If it’s not murder then why 35 years? The grandma chanting outside the courthouse is heartbreaking, like they already decided before anybody even spoke. And the cops transferring him right after the sentence… that just feels cold. They’re probably calling it self defense after the fact but still, “they can do whatever the f*** they want” sounds like somebody saw something happen.