Krystal Muhammad, the national chairwoman of the New Black Panther Party, expressed her satisfaction with the removal of the judge overseeing Karmelo Anthony’s murder trial and immediately called for Anthony’s release from prison.
Outside the Collin County Courthouse after the recusal hearing on Wednesday, Muhammad led chants of “Black Power” as supporters of Anthony rejoiced in the procedural win.
“Black Power. It’s about goddamn time. Our power to the people. That’s the first step. Now we need for Karmelo [Anthony] to be released.”
“All of the racist acts that took place under Judge Roach—from them not letting people come into the courthouse when it’s supposed to be a public hearing, from them not giving the jury instructions on self-defense—so Carmelo would have never got a case in the first place. He would have had—the jury would have had the option of manslaughter—from the racism.”
The new Black Panther Party has arrived to support Karmelo Anthony. pic.twitter.com/m89T25AGpx
— Fanatic 🇺🇸 (@crusade_enjoyer) August 20, 2026
Muhammad’s comments followed Judge Sid Harle’s decision to disqualify District Judge John Roach Jr. from further involvement in Anthony’s post-trial matters.
Judge Roach, who presided over Anthony’s murder case, had previously stated to a reporter that the jury had made the right decision. Anthony’s legal team argued that these comments suggested a lack of impartiality in considering their motion for a retrial.
The removal of Judge Roach does not overturn Anthony’s conviction or his 35-year sentence. Instead, it allows a new judge to consider the motion for a new trial.
Nonetheless, Muhammad and Anthony’s supporters viewed this decision as a step toward potentially freeing a convicted individual.
Who is Krystal Muhammad?
According to the party’s biography, Muhammad has been with the New Black Panther Party since 2002, having led its Houston chapter before becoming the national chairwoman in 2013.
It is important to note that the New Black Panther Party is not affiliated with the original Black Panther Party.
Previously, reported that police body-camera footage captured Anthony acknowledging the stabbing as soon as officers arrived.
“I’m not alleged. I did it,” Anthony stated to the police.
Following Anthony’s conviction, members of the New Black Panther Party gathered outside the courthouse, attempting to frame the murder case as a racial issue.
“We got to tell our kids the truth that this is a racist-ass country!” one activist proclaimed. “This is a war!”
Muhammad’s plea for Anthony’s release occurred a day before prosecutors revealed significant evidence that had not been shared with the original jury.
During Thursday’s hearing for a new trial, Collin County prosecutor Bill Wirskye informed the court that Anthony’s former girlfriend had reported him for alleged stalking on the morning of Metcalf’s murder.
Prosecutors further detailed text messages in which Anthony allegedly wrote about being “on the verge” and described fantasies of stabbing someone and licking the blood from the knife.
An hour after these reports were made to school officials by his former girlfriend, Anthony stabbed Metcalf at a track meet.
This troubling evidence was excluded from the original trial due to an agreement between prosecutors and defense attorneys to limit character evidence regarding both Anthony and Metcalf.
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