Karmelo Anthony's Parents Say He Wasn't Looking For a Fight

Karmelo Anthony's parents say their son was not looking for a fight at a Texas high school track meet that turned deadly ... they say that's just the picture the prosecution was trying to paint.

Kala Hayes and Andrew Anthony were on Thursday's episode of "The Breakfast Club," where they told Mimi Brown their son's verdict sends a clear message ... you don't have a right to defend yourself, even if you're attacked or ganged up on.

Andrew insisted in the interview that their son did not show up with bad intentions ... and he said Karmelo was caught on camera fleeing the scene because he was running to a teacher for help.

Andrew added that the teacher testified in court and said he had to stop another kid from jumping on their son.

Karmelo's going to appeal after being found guilty of murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison ... and his parents say they're trying to find a new lawyer.

As we previously reported, Kala and Andrew said in the teaser for the episode that they didn't believe their son got a fair trial ... saying it felt like a "setup."

Karmelo was convicted of fatally stabbing Austin Metcalf at a Texas track meet last year ... and discourse has been divided over whether or not race played into the trial's outcome.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett talked to TMZ DC and questioned whether race played a factor in the jury's decision. Cardi B also vocally expressed that something wasn't right about the case.

And, as you know, there were no Black jurors on the panel.