A Collin County jury in Texas has sentenced 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony to 35 years in prison for the murder of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf. The sentencing, which occurred on June 10, 2026, followed Anthony's conviction for the fatal stabbing that took place during a high school track meet in Frisco on April 2, 2025. Anthony was taken into custody immediately after the sentence was read.
"You can’t look me in the eyes, but you can stab my f***ing son!" — Jeff Metcalf, Austin Metcalf's Father.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Anthony escalated a verbal dispute into a fatal encounter by drawing a knife and stabbing an unarmed Metcalf in the chest. The jury ultimately agreed with the prosecution, returning a murder conviction after hearing testimony from students, law enforcement officers, coaches, and medical experts. Defense attorneys had maintained that Anthony acted in self-defense after being physically confronted, citing inconsistencies in witness testimony regarding the moments leading up to the stabbing. However, jurors rejected this argument, as well as Anthony's claim that he acted under "sudden passion," a finding that could have reduced the charge or potential sentence. The rejection of the "sudden passion" defense meant Anthony was eligible for a potential life sentence before jurors ultimately settled on 35 years. He will be eligible for parole after serving half of his sentence.
The confrontation occurred at Kuykendall Stadium during a weather delay that involved multiple North Texas schools. Testimony indicated that Anthony, a student from a different school, had been asked multiple times to leave a team tent before tensions escalated, culminating in the fatal incident.
The sentencing phase included emotional victim impact statements from Austin Metcalf's family members, who described the profound and lasting effects of his death. Austin’s twin brother, Hunter Metcalf, addressed Anthony directly, speaking about the loss of his "best friend" and the daily impact of that loss. Hunter stated, "You took a son, a brother, a friend, and my best friend from this world," emphasizing his desire for Anthony to comprehend the pain inflicted on his family.
Austin’s father, Jeff Metcalf, delivered a powerful statement, urging Anthony to look at him as Anthony repeatedly kept his head down. "Don’t look down," Metcalf said, growing increasingly emotional. He challenged Anthony's avoidance of eye contact, asserting, "You can’t look me in the eyes, but you can stab my f***ing son!" Metcalf also spoke about his personal transformation following his son's death, stating, "My son’s death destroyed the person I used to be." He refuted allegations made during the trial that Austin or Hunter had bullied Anthony, stating, "My boys weren’t bullies." Describing his emotional state, he remarked, "People think grief is sadness. It is not. It is rage. Pure, unfiltered rage." While personally forgiving Anthony, Metcalf clarified that he did not forgive the act itself.
Austin’s mother, Meghan Metcalf, concluded the family statements by reflecting on the final day she saw her son alive and the enduring impact of his absence. She told Anthony, "You may have been sentenced to 35 years behind bars. You should feel lucky. I’ve been sentenced to a lifetime without my son." Anthony reportedly appeared visibly emotional as the sentence was read before being escorted from the courtroom by deputies.
The verdict and sentencing garnered significant public attention. Following the conviction, a representative connected to Anthony’s family criticized the jury's composition, alleging a lack of Black jurors. However, court reporting from other outlets indicated the jury included members from multiple racial and ethnic backgrounds. Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis affirmed that the verdict reflected the jury’s thorough review of the evidence presented during the trial and underscored the serious consequences for violent criminal conduct.
Anthony is currently housed in isolation at the Collin County Jail, separate from the general population, according to reports.
