Two weeks after a Texas jury convicted 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony of murder, details have emerged regarding his life in prison as he awaits his appeal. Anthony was sentenced to 35 years for the killing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a Dallas suburb high school track meet in April 2025.
Anthony is currently held in protective custody at the Wallace Pack Unit near Navasota, approximately an hour outside of Houston. According to reports, he has been served meals that include diner favorites like pancakes, breakfast burritos, fried eggs, chicken parmesan, beef chile, pork enchiladas, hamburgers, and BBQ beef.
Safety and Medical Concerns
Civil rights attorney Lee Merritt, who is leading Anthony's appeal, stated that the high-profile nature of the case has raised safety concerns. Merritt noted that there has been online chatter from well-wishers attempting to contact Anthony or send him items to the jail. To date, there have been no formal complaints of sexual harassment by other inmates, despite rumors circulating online.
A significant challenge for Anthony has been managing his epilepsy diagnosis. His defense team revealed his condition during the trial, highlighting that a lack of consistent medication increases his susceptibility to seizures. According to Merritt, Anthony's parents have had to travel across the state to deliver his medication to him during his transfers between correctional facilities.
The Appeal
Anthony was moved from the Collin County Jail to the Byrd Unit transitional prison in Huntsville before his transfer to the Pack Unit. His appeal is being handled by a legal team that includes high-profile lawyers such as Michael Ware, who heads the Texas Innocence Project. Grounds for the appeal may include claims that race played a role in the trial, citing the absence of Black individuals on the jury, and questions about the competency of his previous legal representation.
Anthony's previous attorneys, Mike Howard and Toby Shook, have been criticized by Merritt for allegedly providing a "complete lack of a defense" and failing to call key witnesses during the sentencing phase.
The Victim's Family
Austin Metcalf's father, Jeff Metcalf, has expressed that he is not concerned about Anthony's appeal, stating that appeals focus on judicial errors and procedures rather than guilt or innocence. Jeff Metcalf had sought a 99-year sentence for Anthony and continues to cope with the loss of his son.
The incident occurred when Metcalf, a larger white football and track star, confronted Anthony at a track meet. The confrontation escalated after Metcalf was instructed to take a leadership role and guard the team's tent. Anthony produced a folding knife from his backpack and stabbed Metcalf, who died at the scene in his brother's arms. Jurors in Collin County deliberated for less than three hours before finding Anthony guilty, rejecting a self-defense claim.