A Texas activist acting as a spokesperson for Karmelo Anthony’s family condemned Austin Metcalf’s father after he doubled down on racist remarks during a recent interview with ABC’s Good Morning America.
Dominique Alexander, founder of the Dallas-based Next Generation Action Network, said the remarks revealed Jeff Metcalf’s true colors to the public.
“That’s his heart. That’s who he is as an individual,” Alexander told Atlanta Black Star.
Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the 2025 killing of Austin Metcalf. A judge denied Anthony’s request for a new trial last week, and his legal team is preparing to continue the appeals process.
Jeff Metcalf Speaks Out
During his Good Morning America interview, Jeff Metcalf said he does not believe Anthony’s conviction and 35-year sentence brought his family justice.
He also addressed the racial tensions surrounding the case, saying he initially viewed the case as a matter of right and wrong, not race.
However, he claimed his perspective changed after attending a news conference held by Anthony’s family and Alexander shortly after Austin’s death
“I think that day is when race was really entered into it because at that — til that point, I never looked at it as a Black and white thing,” Metcalf said.
He blamed Anthony’s family and supporters for injecting race into the case.
Jeff Metcalf Defends Racist Comments
The interview also revisited a video he posted after Anthony was sentenced, which included several comments that drew accusations of racism toward Anthony, his family and the Black community.
In the video, Metcalf referred to Anthony as a “watermelon felon.”
He also complained about “so many baby mamas running around with EBT cards.”
Metcalf referenced slavery and argued that Black people should be grateful to be free while also mocking the Black Panthers.
In his ABC interview, Metcalf characterized the video as a “social experiment,” saying he was intentionally making something racist to see whether it would go viral.
Metcalf acknowledged the comments were “not my finest moment,” but said he would not apologize or back away from them.
“One, yes, I said it. Two, I own it. I’m not backing away from it,” Metcalf said.
“I’m not going to apologize for anything,” he added. “But was it my finest moment? No.”
Alexander has sharply criticized Metcalf throughout the case and rejected the notion that his side introduced race into the controversy.
“That’s who he is as an individual, and it’s sad,” Alexander said.
Jeff Metcalf Removed from News Conference
Jeff Metcalf attended a 2025 news conference where Anthony’s parents spoke publicly for the first time about the threats and harassment targeting their family.
Alexander’s organization stepped in to support the family after Karmelo himself began receiving death threats.
According to Metcalf’s account to ABC, he went to the news conference because he believed it could be an opportunity for the two families to come together productively.
He told CBS News Texas at the time that he wanted to hear what the Anthony family had to say and had no plans to speak himself.
Metcalf remained at the event until Dallas police arrived and asked him to leave. Officers warned he could face a trespassing charge if he refused, and he ultimately complied.
Alexander offered a different account of why Metcalf was there and why officers removed him.
He said Metcalf had to be asked to leave twice after refusing the first time. Although Alexander acknowledges the optics of removing the grieving father from the news conference, he said he doesn’t believe Metcalf came there to find common ground.
“He loves to bait and switch,” Alexander said.
Alexander said Metcalf came into the room, which was his private office, but did not speak to anyone and appeared to stare them down. Given the threatening language Metcalf used before meeting the family, Alexander felt he needed to treat the situation with caution.
The activist claimed law enforcement has had to step in on multiple occasions when Metcalf lost his temper during court hearings.
“He has gone unchecked with his antics,” Alexander said. “Even the Collin County Sheriff’s Department has said he is an unhinged person.”
Metcalf and Alexander Clash Again
The disagreement between Alexander and Jeff Metcalf has continued outside the courtroom.
Last week, a Facebook account bearing Metcalf’s name messaged Alexander directly and challenged him to meet face-to-face.
“Say it to my face! You’re a coward. Called you out and you slither away. When the denied ruling is issued, you going to have another press conference? I promise to attend. See you around,” the message said.
The profile picture is the logo of the Austin Metcalf Foundation, an organization Metcalf founded following his son’s death. The foundation focuses on conflict prevention and teaching people to walk away from disputes. The profile also includes several photos of the Metcalf family dating back several years.
Alexander said the message came after he witnessed what he described as “troubling” behavior from Metcalf during the hearing.
He did not respond to the message.
Anthony’s legal team is now moving forward with an appeal. Following the denial of the motion for a new trial, appellate attorney Russell Wilson II confirmed that the defense will take the case to the Fifth Court of Appeals and pursue all available legal remedies.
Meanwhile, Alexander says Metcalf’s public statements and actions continue to fuel tensions surrounding the case, while Metcalf says he remains focused on honoring his son and seeking accountability for his death.
