After Karmelo Anthony was found guilty Tuesday of murdering Austin Metcalf in a stabbing at a Frisco, Texas, high school track meet in 2025 — and the same jury soon after sentenced Anthony to 35 years in prison — Metcalf's loved ones read impact statements in a Collin County courtroom with Anthony present.
Jeff Metcalf, the victim's father, called his son a friend, a leader, and a true warrior, KDFW-TV reported.
'My son's death destroyed the person I used to be.'
"Since the day he first grabbed my finger, he had my heart with it," Metcalf said, according to the station, which added that the elder Metcalf also spoke about the joy he felt while watching both of his sons on the field at the same time.
Jeff Metcalf also said the public response to his son's murder was sickening, KDFW reported, adding that he said he was targeted in six swatting calls and the victim's mother has been targeted twice.
"With a gag order, I can't defend myself when people want to tear down my son's memory. That time is over!" Jeff Metcalf added, according to the station. "I said from day one this was never about race. It's about right and wrong. We are all humans. We all bleed the same color. You will face those consequences starting today." Anthony is black; Metcalf was white.
Jeff Metcalf also spoke directly to Anthony, KDFW reported: "You failed your parents, yourself, and society. You don't belong in this community."
"My son's death destroyed the person I used to be," the father added, according to WFAA-TV. "He does not exist any more."
Jeff Metcalf added that "people think grief is sadness; it is not. It is rage. Pure, unfiltered rage," he said, slamming his fist on a table with his voice rising, WFAA noted.
The enraged father added to Anthony, "You can't look me in the eyes, but you can stab my f**king son?!" KDFW reported.
With that, the judge motioned to prosecutor Bill Wirskye about the cursing, WFAA said.
Indeed, a reporter in a KXAS-TV video called Jeff Metcalf's impact statement "full of rage" and noted that the judge had the prosecutor and a bailiff "step in" although Metcalf was allowed to finish reading his impact statement.
When he was done, Jeff Metcalf stared at Anthony the entire time he walked past him — just two feet from his son's convicted killer, WFAA reported.
RELATED: Jury reaches verdict in Karmelo Anthony murder trial (UPDATE)
Hunter Metcalf, the twin brother of the victim, also observed the lack of eye contact and asked Anthony to look him in the eye, KDFW reported: "I would really respect that."
Hunter Metcalf said he's been trying to learn how to forgive, KDFW said, adding that he also said he's chosen God and is trying to understand why his brother and best friend was taken from him.
"Now I want everything taken from you," Hunter Metcalf told Anthony, KDFW reported. "You took everything from me. I wake up every morning, and his door is still shut."
Megan Metcalf, the victim's mother, talked about raising two energetic, loving souls, KDFW said: "Now I only have videos and memories of his laugh."
The mother talked about the morning of the track meet, KDFW said, adding that she recalled packing her son a snack and giving him a hug — yet not realizing it would be the last time she would embrace her boy.
"You may have been given a sentence of 35 years. You should feel lucky," Megan Metcalf told Anthony, KDFW said. "I've been sentenced to a lifetime without my son."
KDFW noted that Anthony, 19, will be eligible for parole after he serves half of his 35-year sentence. His murder conviction could have resulted in a prison sentence of as little as five years to as many as 99 years.
During the sentencing deliberation, the jury was considering whether Anthony acted out of "sudden passion," which would have limited his time behind bars to 20 years, KDFW said.
The reporter in the KXAS video described Anthony as "shaking" and "sobbing" and displaying a "sheer look of shock" on his face after his guilty verdict was read. The reporter added that Anthony was "trembling" in his chair and "sobbing" as his mother asked the jury during the sentencing phase to "please have mercy on my son."
A new mug shot of Anthony was taken Tuesday after he was placed in the custody of the Collin County Sheriff's Office following his guilty verdict.
RELATED: Karmelo Anthony murder trial: Jurors begin deliberations — and can consider lesser charge of manslaughter
Karmelo Anthony. Image source: Collin County (Texas) Sheriff's Office
In addition, the reporter in the KXAS video said Anthony was seen mouthing the words "I'm sorry" to his family and added that Anthony's parents were not in court for his sentencing or for the impact statements.
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