Royal Oakes Sees 1990s Racial Divide Echoing in Karmelo Anthony Trial

2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 6

Royal Oakes said the Karmelo Anthony murder trial is showing the same racial and cultural fault lines that shaped the O.J. Simpson case as testimony heads into its third day in Texas.
Anthony is accused of fatally stabbing fellow student Austin Metcalf at a Frisco track meet and has pleaded not guilty, with his lawyers expected to argue self-defense.
Oakes said the bigger danger is that race, politics and courthouse activism could overshadow evidence, though he added public demonstrations become a problem only if they start influencing perceptions.
Social media may intensify that risk, he said, because viral clips and commentary can drive people to take sides before hearing the full case, making jury objectivity more critical.