COLLIN COUNTY, TEXAS — Emotions ran high inside a Texas courtroom as Karmelo Anthony’s mother delivered a heartfelt plea to jurors moments after her son was convicted of murdering 17-year-old Austin Metcalf.
The emotional testimony came during the sentencing phase of Anthony’s trial on June 9, 2026, following a guilty verdict that concluded more than a year of legal proceedings surrounding the fatal stabbing at a Frisco high school track meet.
A Mother’s Emotional Appeal
After jurors found Anthony guilty of murder, his mother, Kayla Hayes, became the first witness called by the defense during sentencing.
Fighting back tears, Hayes described Anthony as her firstborn child and expressed her unwavering love for him despite the conviction.
“He’ll always be my baby. I love him very much,” she told the court.
Hayes also insisted that her son regretted his actions and understood the gravity of what had happened.
“I know my son, and he’s very sorry for what he did.”
When defense attorney Mike Howard asked whether she wanted to say anything else to the jury, Hayes delivered a brief but powerful plea:
“Please have mercy on my son.”
Her words came as both families sat in the courtroom, facing the reality of a tragedy that forever changed their lives.
The Track Meet Tragedy
The case stems from an incident on April 2, 2025, during a district track meet at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
According to investigators, Anthony and Austin Metcalf, both 17 at the time, became involved in an altercation under a team tent.
Witnesses testified that Anthony entered a tent designated for Memorial High School athletes and refused requests to leave. During the confrontation, he allegedly warned others not to touch him and suggested he had something inside his backpack.
Prosecutors argued that when Metcalf attempted to remove Anthony from the tent, Anthony pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the chest.
Metcalf later died from his injuries.
Anthony admitted to the stabbing but claimed he acted in self-defense.
Jury Rejects Self-Defense Claim
Throughout the trial, Anthony’s legal team maintained that he feared for his safety and believed he was defending himself during a chaotic confrontation.
Defense attorneys argued that Metcalf and others surrounded Anthony and that he reacted in a split-second moment of panic.
Prosecutors strongly disagreed.
They argued that Anthony brought a concealed knife to the event, provoked the confrontation, and used deadly force when it was not justified.
After less than three hours of deliberation, jurors sided with the prosecution and found Anthony guilty of murder.
Sentencing Phase Begins
Following the conviction, the trial immediately moved into sentencing.
The defense sought a reduced punishment under Texas’ “sudden passion” law, which can lower sentencing ranges if a crime is committed in the heat of the moment under extreme emotional disturbance.
Prosecutors argued that the evidence did not support such a finding and maintained that Anthony initiated the conflict.
Jurors ultimately rejected the sudden-passion argument.
Austin Metcalf’s Family Speaks
Before sentencing was announced, members of Austin Metcalf’s family addressed the court.
His twin brother, Hunter Metcalf, delivered one of the most emotional statements of the hearing.
Speaking directly to Anthony, Hunter described the immense pain of losing not only a brother but also his best friend.
“You took a son, a brother, a friend, and my best friend from this world,” Hunter said.
He spoke about future milestones Austin would never experience and the lasting impact his death has had on their family.
Hunter also revealed that he struggles daily with forgiveness and grief while watching his family cope with the loss.
35-Year Prison Sentence
After additional deliberations, jurors returned with their final decision.
The court sentenced Anthony to 35 years in state prison.
Under Texas law, he must serve at least half of that sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
Courtroom observers reported that Anthony became emotional as the sentence was read. According to courtroom sketch artist Pat Lopez, Anthony looked toward his parents and mouthed the words:
“I’m sorry.”
Judge John Roach then ordered Anthony into custody.
A Case That Captured National Attention
The case drew widespread public attention over the past year, generating intense debate across social media and news outlets.
Supporters of both families gathered outside the courthouse throughout the trial, while discussions surrounding self-defense laws, youth violence, and accountability continued nationwide.
For the Metcalf family, however, the trial was never simply about legal arguments.
It was about the loss of a son, a brother, and a future they believe was taken far too soon.
And for Anthony’s family, Hayes’ emotional plea served as a reminder that another family must now face the consequences of a conviction that will affect them for decades to come.