The tragic murder of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf in 2025 — at the hands of another 17-year-old, Karmelo Anthony — during a high school track meet in Texas captured the nation's attention. It all just seemed so senseless: Two young lives were lost that day, and their loved ones' hearts were shattered.
As RedState reported, the jury in Anthony's trial reached a verdict Tuesday afternoon, finding Anthony guilty of murder for stabbing Metcalf in the chest, leaving Metcalf to die in his twin brother's arms.
But then came the question of sentencing. As Bob Hoge reported, the jury was allowed to consider the "sudden passion" defense, which, if they unanimously found that Anthony caused Metcalf's death "under the immediate influence of 'sudden passion,'" could have resulted in a sentence of as little as two years.
READ MORE: Breaking: Karmelo Anthony Verdict Is In — Texas on Edge
Could Convicted Murderer Karmelo Anthony Get Off Easy? Jury Contemplates 'Sudden Passion' Defense
However, the jury, as it did in reaching the guilty verdict, moved swiftly in the sentencing phase and has now sentenced Anthony to 35 years in prison.
A Collin County jury has sentenced Karmelo Anthony to 35 years in prison after he was found guilty of murder in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Memorial High School student Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas.
Anthony broke down in tears and was shaking as the verdict was read Tuesday afternoon, and he was immediately taken into custody. The case immediately moved into the sentencing phase, with Anthony's mother as the sole witness called to the stand to implore the judge to impose a lenient punishment.
"Please have mercy on my son," Kayla Hays said as mascara stains could be seen streaking her tear-soaked cheeks.
...
Jurors were then tasked with determining Anthony's sentence, in which they decided Metcalf's stabbing was not in "sudden passion," which would have capped his potential prison time at 20 years behind bars. He ultimately faced the possibility of up to 99 years in prison.
There likely will be an appeal, so this is not the final word. But with the verdict and sentencing rendered, the case moves several steps closer to resolution.
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