WATCH: Tim Kaine rejects claims Karmelo Anthony verdict was racist
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said he has a "hard time understanding" claims that the guilty verdict in Karmelo Anthony's murder trial was unfair or racially motivated, distancing himself from some Democrats and activists who have criticized the outcome of the case.
"I have a hard time understanding why they would say that," Kaine said when asked about claims from some Democrats that Anthony's guilty verdict was unfair or racially charged.
The Virginia Democrat’s comments come after protests and online criticism emerged following Tuesday’s verdict. Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison after being found guilty of intentionally stabbing and murdering Austin Metcalf.
Kaine's comments stand in contrast with remarks from Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, who has publicly described Anthony as a "scared Black boy" and argued he was not shown enough "mercy" following the verdict.
Fox News Digital asked Kaine his thoughts on Democrats, like Crockett, claiming the trial was unfair because of the belief that the verdict was racially motivated or that Anthony was not given a fair trial because of his race.
"I know what they’re saying, but I have a hard time understanding," Kaine reiterated.
KARMELO ANTHONY TRIAL BEGINS WITH NO BLACK JURORS IN RACIALLY-CHARGED CASE OVER TRACK MEET STABBING
Crockett took to her podcast, "Clock it with Crockett," 19 hours after Anthony was found guilty in court. During the episode, she criticized the racial makeup of the jury and claimed the knife that Anthony used to stab Metcalf to his death was "not a deadly weapon."
"I would argue the size of it alone, you wouldn’t even think it’s a deadly weapon," Crockett said about the murder weapon that was discovered and confirmed to be the knife used to pierce Metcalf’s heart, leading to his death on the scene.
She claimed the jurors were all "White folk," and sources close to the trial told Fox News Digital that there were three jurors who were racial minorities. They said that of the 18 total jurors, including alternates, six were minorities.
Crockett also said on her podcast that if she were in Anthony’s position, referencing the altercation that led to Metcalf’s death, she would have done the same thing in self-defense.
She also claimed the victim’s family had never experienced living in the "fear and agony" that Black people live with every day.
While Crockett is the only member of Congress to publicly make such claims since the guilty verdict was given, many activists agree with Crockett’s take, claiming Anthony’s actions were made in self-defense, often noting the 38-pound size difference between Anthony and Metcalf.
Protests broke out outside the courthouse on Tuesday, and criticism of the verdict and claims that Anthony did not receive a fair trial continue to circulate online.
Fox News Digital’s Peter D’Abrosca contributed to this report.