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Jury Reaches Verdict In Texas Murder Case

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A Collin County jury has sentenced Karmelo Anthony to 35 years in prison after finding him guilty of murdering 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a fatal confrontation at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas. The sentence came after jurors rejected Anthony's claim that he acted in "sudden passion," a finding that could have significantly reduced his prison exposure. Instead, Anthony now faces decades behind bars and will become eligible for parole after serving half of his sentence.

The courtroom was filled with emotion as the verdict and sentence were delivered. Anthony reportedly broke down in tears and was visibly shaking as the decision was read. He was immediately taken into custody.


Following the sentencing, Austin Metcalf's family addressed the court through victim impact statements. Austin's father, Jeff Metcalf, delivered some of the most emotional remarks of the day. Speaking directly to Anthony, he described the pain his family has endured since losing his son and rejected public narratives that attempted to frame the case through political or racial lenses.

"We were robbed," Metcalf said, telling Anthony to look at him. He later added that while he forgave Anthony, he could never forgive the act itself.


Austin's twin brother, Hunter Metcalf, also addressed the court. Seeing Anthony look up at him, Hunter spoke about the void left by his brother's death and the daily reality of living without him. He described waking up each morning and seeing Austin's bedroom door still closed, a constant reminder of what had been taken away.

Austin's mother, Megan Metcalf, recalled packing her son a snack before he left for the track meet, unaware it would be the last time she would ever see him alive. She told Anthony that while he had received a 35-year sentence, her punishment would be a lifetime without her son.


Earlier in the proceedings, Anthony's mother, Kayla Hays, pleaded for mercy on behalf of her son. Fighting back tears, she described him as her firstborn child and said he was deeply sorry for his actions.

The case centered on an April 2, 2025 confrontation beneath a Memorial High School team tent at Kuykendall Stadium. According to testimony, Anthony had been sitting under the tent despite attending a different school. Witnesses said several students repeatedly asked him to leave. The exchange escalated as tensions rose.


Multiple student witnesses testified that Anthony responded aggressively and appeared to be provoking a confrontation. Some recalled statements such as, "Touch me and you'll find out." Witnesses also described Anthony keeping one hand inside his backpack during much of the argument.

The confrontation turned physical when Metcalf approached Anthony. Testimony differed regarding exactly how Metcalf made contact, with some describing a shove and others describing a grab. Moments later, Anthony stabbed Metcalf in the chest.


Prosecutors argued that Anthony escalated a verbal dispute into a deadly encounter by pulling a knife and using it against an unarmed teenager. Defense attorneys maintained that Anthony acted in self-defense after being physically confronted by a larger student.

Jurors deliberated for roughly three hours before reaching their decision.

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