Karmelo Anthony’s parents have given their first public interviews after their son’s murder conviction, saying they believe the trial was unfair and that their son was treated as guilty before the jury ever reached a verdict. Their comments come after Anthony was convicted in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf and sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Kala Hayes and Andrew Anthony spoke with CBS News and The Breakfast Club, describing the emotional toll the case has taken on their family. Both parents said they do not accept the outcome and believe the public attention surrounding the case affected how their son was viewed before all the evidence was heard.
Andrew Anthony said he felt his son had already been judged from the moment he left jail. He argued that the idea of being innocent until proven guilty did not apply in the way the public and media treated Karmelo before the trial began.
The family also shared details from Karmelo’s perspective about what happened before the fatal confrontation. According to his parents, a cousin of Karmelo’s girlfriend had invited him into the tent where Austin Metcalf was present, a claim they say was important to understanding why he was there.
Andrew Anthony then accused that same witness of denying in court that he knew Karmelo. He claimed there were photos connecting the two and said the family believed the witness was not truthful when testifying during the trial.
Kala Hayes also questioned the testimony heard in court, saying she believed the witnesses gave inconsistent statements. She said the family expected the jury to notice those differences, but she felt jurors had already made up their minds once they entered the courtroom.
The parents also raised concerns about race and jury selection. Andrew Anthony pointed to what he described as an all-white jury, although reports have said the panel included white, Asian, and Hispanic members. Still, the family said the jury makeup remains one of the issues they believe should be reviewed.
During the interviews, the family also discussed their legal defense and fundraising efforts. Andrew Anthony said people had advised them that they needed a certain type of attorney to fight the case, and Karmelo was later represented at trial by Dallas attorney Mike Howard.
After the conviction, reports said Anthony requested a court-appointed lawyer for his appeal, claiming he could no longer afford representation. His legal team has already taken steps toward an appeal, meaning the case is expected to continue even after the 35-year sentence.
Throughout the interviews, Anthony’s parents continued to insist that their son did not go looking for what happened that day. Their comments have added another layer of debate to a case already divided by questions of self-defense, race, witness testimony, and whether the trial process was fair from the beginning.
