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A Young Father Convicted on Conjecture
in a Politically Charged Climate:
Justice for Scotty: Fighting Consequences of Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate, Prosecutorial Overreach & Political Bias.
Our family is fighting a grave injustice.
Anthony “Scotty” Bennett, a loving dad with no criminal record, was sentenced to 50 years in prison after what we believe was a politically motivated prosecution that twisted self-defense into premeditated m*rder. We are raising funds for appellate representation to challenge this conviction and sentence, which we believe were built on weak evidence and alleged prosecutorial misconduct.
We believe the 50-year sentence is disproportionately harsh for someone with no criminal record who claimed self-defense against a known extremist gang member. Weeks before, an individual in Tarrant County was sentenced to 17 years for the premeditated shooting of a 15 year old boy in his family's doorway. The sho*ter then boasted about it online right after. How did he receive less time!?
This trial occurred during an unprecedented wave of political violence and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.
The conviction came within a week of a high-profile political assassination, creating a climate where any
criticism of right-wing extremism was viewed with suspicion.
The jury was selected just days after this politically charged event. We would like to know if he had any queer peers on that jury! The jury was coerced by the prosecution to make an example out of Scotty and to give him the 50 year sentence.
September 2025
Together, we can challenge this wrongful conviction and bring Scotty home.
Regular updates will be posted. All funds managed through dedicated legal defense account with full transparency.
The views expressed reflect our understanding of the case and our belief in Scotty’s innocence. All allegations of misconduct are based on our interpretation of the evidence and court proceedings.
#JusticeForScotty #SelfDefenseRights
#WrongfulConviction #LGBTQRights #StopPoliticalPersecution
::What we need::
The Appellate Attorney could cost us $20,000-$30,000
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What We Need: Experienced Appellate Representation
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Anthony’s case requires expert legal representation specializing in:
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Prosecutorial misconduct appeals
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Self-defense legal strategies
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Political bias in jury selection
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Evidence suppression challenges
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Wrongful conviction advocacy
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Research potentially criminalized: Academic study of extremism treated as evidence of criminal intent Self-defense rights questioned.
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Internet searches of extremism was treated as evidence of criminal intent.
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Victims of hate-motivated attacks may be unable to defend themselves
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Political views targeted: Merely holding the belief that democracy is anti-fascist was portrayed as inherently aggressive and violent ideology driving actively seeking to assault people identifying as fascists. Antifascism has been an accepted belief since WWII. America has long held the right to oppose fascism.
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Self defense for queer and minority citizens was struck down, questioning whether victims of hate-motivated attacks have the right to defend themselves. this verdict increases LGBTQ+ vulnerability. Members of our community face increased violence (GLADD, 6/6/25) but may be unable to protect themselves. This case sends a chilling message: if you are targeted by extremists, you cannot defend yourself without facing decades in prison.
Why This Case Matters Beyond Our Family:
Scotty is devastated that he could be separated from his family, community and daughter for over 25 years while fighting these charges.
About Scotty: More Than the Media Narrative
Scotty is a devoted father whose young daughter asks every day when he’s coming home. Before this incident, he had no criminal record and worked hard to support his family. His interest in studying extremist groups came from a genuine desire to understand and prevent radicalization—not to harm anyone.
Our family has suffered tremendously. After Scotty’s arrest, their home was shot up by unknown assailants, forcing them to permanently flee for their safety. Due to ongoing threats from extremist groups connected to this case, they cannot return home.
Our family has had to live in hiding for over three years while fighting these charges.
These type of gangs are known for retaliation. We had to have security detail throughout the court proceedings.
Scotty was on a ankle monitor for 3 years while waiting on this trial. He went every single appointment and had zero infractions during the ENTIRE time.
From Our Family: A Fight for Justice
This case isn’t just about Scotty—it’s about all of us. In an era of rising political violence and anti-LGBTQ+ hatred, we cannot allow the justice system to be weaponized against those who stand up to extremism.
A well known Tarrant County Newspaper over the last few years have slandered him, accusing him of being a outlaw motorcycle gang member, a hitman, part of ANTIFA. Of which NONE of that is a fact.
Scotty’s daughter needs her father home. Your support helps us fight prosecutorial overreach and ensures that defending yourself against hate-motivated violence isn’t criminalized.
Every contribution matters. Whether $5 or $500, you’re helping fight an injustice that could affect any of us in today’s political climate.
Alleged Prosecutorial Misconduct & Weak Evidence
1. Timing & Alleged Political Bias This trial occurred during an unprecedented wave of political violence and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. The jury selection came two days after a high-profile political assassination, and the verdict just one week afterward. The politicization of that m*rder and use of it as a fealty test created a climate where any criticism of right-wing extremism was viewed with heightened suspicion.
2. Circumstantial “Evidence” Presented as Fact - Anthony had long studied hate groups wanting to understand and prevent extremism—the prosecution twisted this into “targeting.” Having downloaded materials about activism was presented as evidence of violent intent. He had a varied array of books, although the prosecution only focused on a few to demonize Scotty.
3. Missing & Allegedly Misrepresented Evidence- The prosecution failed to show video evidence in its entirety -
Missing evidence: Claims the assailant was photographing Scotty’s license plate, but no phone or photos were produced -
Self-defense context ignored: The context of being pursued by a potentially armed extremist was minimized -
Alleged investigative bias:
One detective reportedly claimed not to know that the white supremacist organization the assailant belonged to existed, despite it being one of the largest and most documented extremist groups in the country, featured in countless films, TV shows, news reports, and law enforcement databases.
That same officer was the one that told Scott to move his family somewhere else for a while for their safety because the individual was a dangerous gang member.
4. Post-Incident Behavior Allegedly Mischaracterized Scotty’s actions after the shooting—hiding the gun and removing stickers—were presented as “consciousness of guilt.” In reality, Scotty was terrified of retaliation from that extremist group and panicked. He didn’t even know he had hit anyone, let alone ki*led them. His fears appear to have been justified when their home was shot up after his arrest, forcing his family to flee permanently.
The Questionable Theory of “Instant Premeditation”-
The prosecution’s claim of “instantly premeditated” murder appears legally contradictory. In our understanding, you cannot have both instantaneous decision-making and premeditation. We believe this prosecution theory defies legal logic and suggests the case was built to fit a predetermined narrative rather than established facts.
We believe the 50-year sentence is disproportionately harsh for someone with no criminal record who claimed self-defense against a known violent extremist.
THIS WAS ALWAYS A CASE OF SELF DEFENSE!