Texas Jury Sentences Karmelo Anthony To 35 Years For Murder Of Austin Metcalf

A Texas jury convicted Karmelo Anthony of murder and sentenced him to 35 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas.

“The Texas murder case that sparked national conversations about race, self-defense and violence reached its conclusion Tuesday when a Collin County jury sentenced Karmelo Anthony to 35 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of fellow teenager Austin Metcalf during a 2025 high school track meet”

Essence

The sentencing followed a guilty verdict reached by a Collin County jury, and TMZ reported that Anthony filed a notice of appeal less than 24 hours after the conviction.

Essence

Prosecutors said the confrontation began during a rain delay at a Frisco ISD track meet after Anthony sought shelter beneath a tent designated for athletes from Memorial High School, where Metcalf was a student.

Defense attorneys argued Anthony acted in self-defense, and the jury rejected a “sudden passion” premise that could have reduced the severity of punishment.

After the verdict, Anthony was described as being held in isolation inside Collin County Jail before heading to state prison, and his lawyer Mike Howard told TMZ, "After the conclusion of the trial yesterday, we gave the court our official notice that Karmelo Anthony is filing an appeal."

Rapper Cardi B publicly criticized the verdict and sentence on social media, writing on X, "Wow! Just freakin wow! DISGUSTING… This is not justice, this is trying to make an example!!!"

The Washington Times also reported that Cardi B ignited a firestorm after denouncing the murder conviction and 35-year prison sentence, and it quoted her post as part of the backlash.

Forbes

Tomi Lahren responded on X with, "Yes, the example is, don’t stab somebody in the chest. Thanks for playing," while Zeek Arkham replied, "'Trying to make an example?' Yes, Cardi…stabbing people is bad."

The Washington Times described the verdict as unanimous and said it was read by Texas District Court Judge John Roach Jr., with the case carrying a maximum of 99 years.

In the sentencing phase, Anthony’s mother Kayla Hayes testified, "Yes, he's very sorry for what he did," as the defense presented a single witness and jurors declined to make a sudden-passion finding.

The legal process now turns on Anthony’s appeal after TMZ said he filed a notice of appeal, and his lawyer Mike Howard framed it as "An appeal is the next part of the legal process and a right afforded every American."

“Cardi B is criticizing the Texas legal system after a teenager was sentenced to 35 years in prison for a fatal stabbing”

HOT 97

Supporters and opponents continued to clash around the case, and USA Today reported that prosecutors argued Anthony threatened Metcalf before the stabbing while the defense maintained Anthony acted in self-defense.

USA Today also said the trial began with jury selection on June 1 and that the judge banned cameras, livestreams and audio recording inside the courtroom, while prosecutors called 21 witnesses before resting their case June 6.

The Washington Times reported that Metcalf’s father Jeff Metcalf held an emotional press conference outside the Collin County Courthouse and revealed the family had been targeted by multiple “swatting” calls.

Forbes described how the case became a racial flashpoint in Frisco and quoted Cardi B again, "Wow! Just freakin wow! DISGUSTING… This is not justice, this is trying to make an example!!!"