Karmelo Anthony has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for the murder of Austin Metcalf, a crime that has shaken the Texas community. The verdict was delivered on June 9, following a swift three-hour deliberation by a jury in Collin County, Texas. The tragic incident occurred in April 2025 and involved the death of 17-year-old Austin, who was a member of a rival high school’s track team.
During the sentencing hearing, Karmelo’s mother made an emotional plea to the jury, asking them to “please have mercy on my son,” according to NBC News. She expressed that Karmelo was “very sorry for what he did,” highlighting the remorse he felt for his actions.
In a heart-wrenching moment, Austin’s family members addressed the court, sharing victim impact statements. Throughout their testimonies, Karmelo remained subdued, with his head bowed. Austin’s mother, Meghan Metcalf, conveyed the depth of their loss, stating, “My son was murdered. He didn’t just die—he was taken from us, just as he was starting to live,” as reported by NBC 5.
Austin’s family also spoke in the courtroom during victim impact statements, during which Karmelo kept his head down.
“My son was murdered,” Austin’s mother Meghan Metcalf said, according to NBC 5. “He didn’t just die—he was taken from us, just as he was starting to live.”
Addressing Karmelo, she added, “You should feel lucky because I’ve been sentenced to a life without my son.”
It was a sentiment echoed by Austin’s dad Jeff Metcalf.
“We were robbed,” he said. “If you asked me what my son’s death did to me, I would tell you it destroyed the person I used to be.”
Slamming his fist down, he shouted, according to the outlet, “It’s rage! Pure unfiltered rage!”
Karmelo finally lifted his head when Austin’s twin brother, Hunter Metcalf, asked that he make eye contact.
“Eventually, you will be forgotten,” Hunter said, “but my brother’s legacy will never be forgotten.”
The scene outside the courthouse was just as emotional as Karmelo’s family walked toward their cars amid chants of “Justice for Karmello,” according to NBC 5.
The Metcalf family, alongside Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis, also addressed the crowd outside.
“Today, justice was served,” Willis said, according to Fox Austin 7. “A year ago, when this senseless murder unfolded, I said that it had struck a deep nerve in Collin County and far beyond.”
The sentencing concludes a highly publicized trial that drew national attention, including debate over whether Karmelo acted in self-defense.
On April 2, 2025, officers from the Frisco Police Department responded to reports of a stabbing at a track meet at Memorial High School.
According to authorities, Karmelo and Austin got into an altercation, which ended when Austin was fatally stabbed.
Witnesses told police that students were huddled under a tent at the track to avoid the rain when Austin told Karmelo to leave the reserved area, according to a probable cause affidavit viewed by Oxygen.
In response, Karmelo allegedly told Austin, per the affidavit, “Touch me and see what happens,” leading to the stabbing.
When police arrived, Karmelo allegedly claimed he was protecting himself, according to charging documents.
Then, when a school officer referred to Karmelo as the “alleged suspect,” Karmelo allegedly responded, “I’m not alleged; I did it,” according to the charging documents. “He put his hands on me. I told him not to.”
Despite life-saving efforts, Austin died from his injuries.
Karmelo was arrested for murder and pleaded not guilty, according to court records viewed by Oxygen.
The trial began on June 1 and hinged upon whether Karmelo had acted in self-defense when he stabbed Austin.
Karmelo’s defense attorney Mike Howard argued in court, according to NBC News, that his client reacted to “fear and chaos.”
“After Karmelo defended himself with that knife, he ran,” he said, per the outlet. “He didn’t stab again. He dropped the knife. He didn’t stab anyone else.”
Meanwhile, the prosecution argued that Karmelo’s use of force was unjustified.
Among the evidence they presented was testimony from Collin County Chief Medical Examiner Elizabeth Ventura, who shared that Austin was stabbed through the heart, with the knife leaving a gaping two-inch stab wound, according to Fox 7.
What Happens Next for Karmelo Anthony?
Karmelo was immediately transferred to the Collin County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center, where he is being held in isolation away from the general population, a jail representative told the New York Post.
He will be eligible for parole after serving 15 years, according to People.
Karmelo has already filed a notice of appeal, according to Howard.
“We believe there are several important issues for the appellate courts to consider,” Howard told TMZ. “An appeal is the next part of the legal process and a right afforded every American.”
Willis and Howard did not immediately return requests for comment from Oxygen.