Jeff Metcalf, the father of Austin Metcalf, a 17-year-old fatally stabbed at a Texas high school track meet, stated that he does not believe the conviction and prison sentence of Karmelo Anthony can provide his family with justice.
"No. There's no such thing. I got handed a life sentence," Jeff Metcalf told ABC News in an interview on August 24, 2026. He added that the sentence also constitutes a life sentence for Austin's mother, Meghan Metcalf, and twin brother, Hunter Metcalf, as they will never see or speak to Austin again.
Metcalf described the ongoing grief his family experiences, highlighting the empty seat at holidays and the missed milestones such as graduations and birthdays. "All taken away," he said.
Karmelo Anthony, now 19, was convicted of murder in June and sentenced to 35 years in prison for the April 2025 stabbing death of Austin Metcalf during an altercation at a track meet in Frisco, Texas. Anthony's defense team argued that he acted in self-defense, while prosecutors characterized the killing as "unjustified" and "plain and simple murder."
Despite his family's pain, Metcalf expressed some sympathy for Anthony, acknowledging the consequences the young man now faces. "He still gets to see his family. It's a tragedy he has to be in prison. I feel sorry for him," Metcalf said. "Just through the fact that his life is pretty much ruined." However, he stressed, "I don't feel sorry for what he did, though. He needs to be held accountable."
Metcalf's comments follow the denial of Anthony's request for a new trial. Retired Kaufman County District Judge Michael Chitty, who was assigned to the case after Collin County Judge John Roach was removed from proceedings, made the decision on Saturday. Anthony's new attorneys had argued that he was coerced into waiving his right to testify and that courtroom restrictions denied him a fair trial.
Following the denial of the motion for a new trial, Anthony's appellate attorney, Russell Wilson, stated that the legal team intends to appeal the decision to the Fifth Court of Appeals and "pursue every legal remedy available to our client."