Does a Black Teen’s Bail Cut Expose Racial Double Standards in the U.S. Justice System?

Following the reduction of a Black teenager’s bail from $1 million to $250,000 on April 14, 2025, a graphic began circulating online claiming to show evidence of a racial double standard in the U.S. justice system.

The graphic compares Karmelo Anthony, a 17-year-old charged in the death of another student during a track meet in Frisco, Texas, to Derek Chauvin, the former police officer convicted in the death of George Floyd in 2020.

The visuals claim that Chauvin’s bail was set at $1 million for “just restraining a suspect who was high on drugs,” while Anthony’s was reduced to $250,000 despite being charged with “stabbing a teen to death.”

Misbar investigated the comparison after it sparked confusion and reinforced damaging stereotypes online.

Karmelo Anthony Released on $250,000 Bail as Investigation Continues

On April 14, 2025, Judge Angela Tucker reduced Karmelo Anthony’s bond from $1 million to $250,000, considering his age, lack of prior criminal history and strong community ties. Anthony had been charged with murder following the April 2, 2025, stabbing of fellow student Austin Metcalf during a track event.

According to a police report, the incident began with an altercation in the bleachers. Metcalf allegedly grabbed Anthony to move him. A witness reported that Anthony then pulled out a black knife, stabbed Metcalf once in the chest and fled the scene. Metcalf later died from his injuries.

The 17-year-old was released under strict conditions, including house arrest, parental supervision, weekly court check-ins and a prohibition on contacting Metcalf’s family, until his case is transferred to another court as the investigation continues.

Derek Chauvin Sentenced to More Than 20 Years for George Floyd’s Death After $1 Million Bail

Similarly, in October 2020, Derek Chauvin was released from jail after posting a $1 million bond. His release conditions included following all laws, avoiding contact with George Floyd’s family, surrendering any firearms and remaining in Minnesota until trial. As in all cases, bail is not a reflection of guilt or innocence but serves to ensure a defendant’s appearance in court.

Chauvin was charged with second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd’s death. He was convicted on all charges in 2021 and sentenced to 22.5 years in prison. He also received a concurrent 21-year federal sentence after pleading guilty to violating Floyd’s civil rights while serving as an officer with the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD).

Former MPD Officer Not Jailed for Restraining Suspect Under the Influence in 2020

The claim that Chauvin’s bail was due to “restraining a suspect high on drugs” is misleading. While Floyd’s autopsy did confirm the presence of fentanyl and methamphetamine, his death was officially ruled a homicide caused by law enforcement restraint—not drug use.

Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo testified that Chauvin’s actions violated department training and policy, describing the force as excessive, intentional and resulting in murder.

The former MPD officer had a record of 18 complaints, with two resulting in formal discipline. Over nearly 20 years, he was involved in a police shooting and later pleaded guilty to violating the civil rights of a 14-year-old in a separate 2017 excessive force case. In contrast, Karmelo Anthony had no prior criminal history.

George Floyd’s Death Sparks Nationwide Protests Across the U.S. in 2020

On May 25, 2020, Minneapolis police arrested George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, for using a counterfeit $20 bill. Seventeen minutes later, Floyd was unconscious, pinned under three officers. Chauvin, seen in videos, kept his knee on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds, even after Floyd lost consciousness. Floyd begged for air 25 times.

The following day, Chauvin and three other officers were fired. An investigation ensued, and the officers faced charges for depriving Floyd of his constitutional right to medical care.

Protests began on May 26 and intensified after President Trump’s May 29 tweet, in which he referred to "thugs" in the protests and warned, “When the looting starts, the shooting starts.” His tweet sparked national protests in the days after Floyd’s death.

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