Karmelo Anthony’s parents are speaking publicly after their son was sentenced to 35 years in prison for murder, saying they believe the trial was unfair from the beginning. Their comments come as Anthony’s legal team begins the next step in the case by filing a notice of intent to appeal.
Anthony, 19, was convicted and sentenced in connection with the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas. The jury rejected Anthony’s self-defense argument and later handed down a 35-year prison sentence, bringing the courtroom trial to an end but opening the door for a new legal fight.
In their first public interview after sentencing, Anthony’s parents, Andrew Anthony and Kala Hayes, spoke emotionally about the verdict, the trial process, and the impact the case has had on their family. Both made clear that they do not accept the jury’s decision and still believe their son acted in self-defense.
Hayes said her son is not a murderer and insisted that he never intended to hurt anyone. She said what hurts most is that, in her view, Karmelo was defending himself during a moment of fear, but the jury did not see the case that way.
She also reflected on the moment she addressed jurors during sentencing, when she pleaded for mercy for her son. Hayes said she felt there was little she could say by that point because she believed the jury had already made up its mind about what punishment Anthony should receive.
Andrew Anthony also described the family’s disappointment, saying they had believed they would receive a fair chance in court. After the verdict and sentence, he said the family felt they had been wrong to think the process would end differently.
The family also raised concerns about the testimony presented during trial. Hayes claimed that witnesses gave inconsistent statements and said she believes important parts of the case were not handled properly. Those claims are now expected to become part of the larger conversation as the appeal process begins.
Andrew Anthony argued that his son was judged by the public before the trial even ended. He said the media attention surrounding the case made it feel as though Karmelo had already been convicted before jurors ever reached a verdict.
He also said the family continues to receive threats after the sentencing. According to Andrew, even after the conviction and prison sentence, people are still sending hateful messages and making threats against their family, adding another layer of pain to an already emotional case.
Now, Anthony’s family says they are preparing for the next stage as the appeal moves forward. The conviction and sentence remain in place, but his parents say they will continue fighting because they believe key issues were missed, the process was unfair, and their son did not receive the justice they expected.
