‘I still have your casket.’ Fort Worth mayor’s meeting remark draws scrutiny
An offhanded comment from Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker at the Sept. 30 council meeting is generating controversy online.
Parker was responding to comments made by Fort Worth nonprofit leader and activist Patrice Jones, who spoke out against the proposed 2026 council meeting schedule.
The new schedule, approved by a 7-4 vote, reduces the amount of public comment meetings in 2026 from 15 to 10.
Before the vote, Jones argued the reduction would limit the ability of residents to hold their government accountable.
“If you guys make it harder for us to talk to y’all in spaces like this, then we’re just going to have to come to spaces where you are and make it uncomfortable,” Jones said.
She asserted residents might seek out council members while attending church or other non-city related activities if the number of public comment meetings was reduced.
“Patrice, I still have your casket,” Parker said before calling the next speaker.
Parker was referring to a December 2022 incident in which a casket painted with the names of people killed by police was left on the mayor’s lawn.
“After a police investigation and careful deliberation, we made the decision not to press charges or move the investigation forward, attempting to allow the city to heal in what was a very difficult time — the murder trial for Atatiana Jefferson,” Parker said Oct. 2 in an emailed statement to the Star-Telegram.
She acknowledged that her comments were triggered by Jones saying activists would come to council members’ private spaces if the council voted to reduce the number of public comment meetings.
“As your mayor, I have presided over hundreds of meetings, including public comment, and I do not respond — no matter what outlandish thing is said,” Parker said in her statement, adding Jones’ comments provoked her first responsibility as a mother and protector of her family.
“I wanted her to know that I knew she was involved in leaving a casket in our front yard. There is evidence in the police report from December of 2022 and eyewitness accounts to this fact,” Parker said.
A Fort Worth police spokesperson acknowledged a Star-Telegram email seeking more information about the casket, but did not respond prior to publication.
The Star-Telegram filed a records request seeking a copy of the full police report along with photos and evidence.
Jones and activist groups argued Parker was the one delivering a threat.
“Such words from an elected official — especially directed at a Black woman leader engaging in civic participation — are unacceptable, dangerous, and damaging to our community,” said the Tarrant 4 Change in an Instagram post.
Others echoed similar sentiments, demanding Parker clarify the meaning of her comment and apologize.
In a phone interview with the Star-Telegram, Jones said Parker’s casket comment made her fearful for her life.
“I’m not terminally ill, I’m not sick, so I don’t know why she would have a casket for me,” she said.
Jones acknowledged the possibility Parker was referring to the December 2022 incident, but demanded clarity about her statement.
“With no context, ‘I have your casket,’ that’s a death threat,” Jones said.
She also denied having any connection to the people responsible for dumping the casket on the mayor’s lawn, and accused Parker of relying on faulty information to support her accusation.
“Her accusation accusing me of being involved is a blatant lie that defames my character, damages my reputation, and could cause financial harm to my nonprofit organization,” Jones said in a text message to the Star-Telegram.
She asserted her statement at the council meeting was merely pointing out that without public comment meetings, residents will have to seek out council members outside a city government setting.
Parker’s comments come three weeks after she condemned a social media post by District 9 council member Elizabeth Beck appearing to minimize the murder of right wing activist Charlie Kirk.
She also signed on to a bipartisan letter from the U.S. Conference of Mayors condemning political violence.
“Threatening to come to any elected officials’ personal space is scary, inappropriate, and should be taken seriously,” Parker said in her statement.
“Fort Worth will draw a line that this is not acceptable,” she said.
Jones emphasized in a text message to the Star-Telegram that she does not support her life or the life of any public official being threatened. She said the city deserved leaders who had more self-control than what Parker displayed at the Sept. 30 council meeting.
“As an attorney, mayor and mother, Mayor Parker should know the recklessness of making these kinds of baseless and dangerous statements,” Jones said in a text.
This story was originally published October 2, 2025 at 4:30 PM.
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