The aftermath of Karmelo Anthony’s murder conviction may now be spilling beyond the courtroom. A Texas woman says she was violently attacked outside a bar by a group of strangers who allegedly shouted slogans supporting Anthony during the assault, an incident that has led to one arrest as authorities continue investigating.
According to Fox News, Sammie Lee said she was leaving Whiskey J’s bar in Longview, Texas, on Sunday when she was attacked by a group of women she had never met.
In a Facebook post describing the incident, Lee alleged that the attackers repeatedly shouted “Free Karmelo” during the assault and targeted her because she was white.
“While getting jumped they [were] yelling out ‘Free Karmelo’ — saying they [were] going to target the smallest white girl they could find,” Lee wrote.
Lee also said the attack came without warning.
“I never said a word to these girls, never looked at them, and don’t know them at all,” she wrote.
Photographs included in her social media post showed injuries to her face, including a black eye and blood. She also said she suffered a head wound that required staples.
“[I have a] black eye, and staples in my HEAD! I was LEAKING blood on the back of my head & my face. Totally caught me off guard. THIS SHIT IS NOT OKAY!!!!!” Lee wrote.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed a motive for the alleged assault. According to CBS19, one woman, Ciarrianne Fuller, has been arrested in connection with the incident. Fuller has been charged with assault causing bodily injury and was booked into the Gregg County Jail with bond set at $20,000. The investigation remains ongoing.
The alleged attack occurred just days after Anthony, 19, was sentenced to 35 years in prison following his conviction for the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet.
Anthony’s legal team announced Monday that six attorneys have taken over his representation ahead of an expected appeal.
Following the verdict, Anthony’s parents criticized the proceedings during an interview with CBS.
“It was no innocent ’til proven guilty. He was already guilty,” they said.
During the trial, jurors heard testimony from multiple eyewitnesses describing the confrontation that preceded the stabbing. According to the New York Post, one 17-year-old witness testified that Anthony had been asked approximately 15 times to leave another school’s team tent. The witness said Anthony responded, “Touch me and find out,” before arguing with Metcalf for roughly two minutes. The witness testified that after Metcalf gave Anthony what was described as a minor push, Anthony stabbed him.
Another witness testified that Anthony told those gathered, “I’m not leaving, f— you all,” before reaching into his backpack and referring to surrounding students as “a bunch of pussies.”
