Karmelo Anthony’s 35-year prison sentence has not ended the public debate surrounding the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf. After the verdict and emotional sentencing, attention has now turned to Anthony’s appeal, his family’s response, and a message from his girlfriend that added another personal layer to an already divided case.
Anthony, 19, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison after a Collin County jury rejected his self-defense claim. The case stemmed from the April 2025 confrontation at a Frisco high school track meet, where Metcalf was stabbed during a dispute near a team tent.
Following the sentence, Anthony’s girlfriend, Valeria Perez, reportedly broke her silence with a public message of support on TikTok. Her post expressed love for Anthony and showed that some people close to him continue to stand by him despite the conviction and sentence.
The message quickly drew attention because it came at a time when Austin Metcalf’s family was also speaking publicly about their pain. For many following the case, the contrast between support for Anthony and grief from the Metcalf family showed just how emotionally divided the public reaction remains.
Austin’s family made clear during victim impact statements that no sentence could fully repair what they lost. His mother said Anthony received 35 years, while she had been given a lifetime without her son. His father and twin brother also spoke about the future Austin will never get to live.
The Metcalf family’s statements turned the sentencing hearing into one of the most emotional moments of the entire trial. They described Austin as a son, brother, friend, and young man whose absence will remain with them long after the courtroom proceedings end.
At the same time, Anthony’s family has continued to push back against the outcome. His mother, Kala Hayes, shared a defiant message after the conviction, while other family members and supporters have argued that the case was affected by bias and that Anthony’s self-defense claim was not treated fairly.
Anthony has now filed an appeal of his conviction, opening a new legal fight. An appeal does not erase the guilty verdict or the 35-year sentence, but it allows a higher court to review whether legal errors happened during the trial.
Reports say one key focus of the appeal may involve claims about racial bias during jury selection. Anthony’s supporters have pointed to the lack of Black jurors on the final panel, though the trial judge had already rejected bias claims during the proceedings.
For now, Anthony remains convicted and sentenced, while Austin Metcalf’s family continues grieving and the appeal begins its slow path forward. The girlfriend’s message, the mother’s response, and the Metcalf family’s heartbreak all show that the courtroom verdict may be final for now, but the public fight over the case is far from over.
