*Karmelo Anthony now faces the possibility of decades in prison after a Texas jury found him guilty of murdering Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet.
Judge John Roach Jr. imposed a 35-year prison sentence on Tuesday after a jury found Anthony guilty in the 2025 killing. Anthony must serve at least half of his sentence before he becomes eligible for parole, NBC 5 reports. The case stems from a fatal confrontation at a district track meet held last April at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco.
Anthony acknowledged stabbing Metcalf, 17, but his attorneys argued that he acted in self-defense during a dispute near a team tent. Prosecutors maintained that the killing was unjustified and urged jurors to impose a significant punishment.
During the punishment phase, jurors considered whether Anthony acted under a legal doctrine known as “sudden passion.” Under Texas law, a successful sudden passion determination can reduce the sentencing range in certain homicide cases involving immediate provocation. Jurors ultimately rejected that argument, leaving Anthony subject to the standard punishment range for the conviction.
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Anthony’s mother was the only witness called by the defense during sentencing. Through tears, she asked jurors to “please have mercy on my son” and said he “is very sorry for what he did.”
Jurors deliberated for less than three hours before returning a guilty verdict on June 9.
Anthony, now 19, was 17 when the stabbing occurred but faced trial as an adult under Texas law.
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