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The parents of Karmelo Anthony, a Texas teen accused of fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a track meet earlier this month, spoke publicly for the first time Thursday.
In a press release, advocacy group Next Generation Action Network said the family has faced false information, misinformation, and hateful attacks that misrepresent both the family and the case.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Metcalf, a junior at Memorial High School in Frisco, was fatally stabbed during a UIL District 11-5A track meet at Kuykendall Stadium.
Police said that Anthony, a student from Centennial High School in Frisco, stabbed Metcalf in the chest during a confrontation after Anthony was seated under a tent designated for Memorial High School students.
Anthony’s mother and NGAN president, Kala Hayes, said the family has been “under attack” in the wake of the stabbing, with threats and harassment.
“Whatever you think what happened between Karmelo and the Metcalf boys, my three younger children, my husband and I didn’t do anything to deserve to be threatened, harassed and lied about,” Hayes said.
“The lies and false accusations that have been said about us, especially over the past week, has been overwhelming. The lies and their amplification put my family in danger.”
Although she didn’t go into details over what transpired during the fatal stabbing, Hayes said she’s putting her faith into the legal process.
“We believe in the Constitution, we believe in the laws of this state, but those laws must apply to all of us, not just some of us. There’s an active investigation that everyone involved wants to be full and fair. We believe in the legal process and that is where the truth will come out.”
Meanwhile, the victim’s father, Jeff Metcalf, was asked to leave the conference.
CBS News reports that Metcalf appeared at the start of the press conference, wearing sunglasses and occasionally talking on his phone. About 40 minutes after the scheduled start time, Dallas police arrived and asked him to leave.
“To the family who experienced the loss, my heart truly goes out to you,” Hayes added. “To those who have supported my family, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Anthony is currently out on bail. In addition to house arrest and wearing an ankle monitor, Anthony must check in with a bailiff every week and have no contact with Metcalf’s family.
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: Austin Metcalf/Memorial High School]
