(FRISCO, TEXAS) – The father of murdered Texas teenager Austin Metcalf has spoken publicly for the first time after a jury convicted 19 year old Karmelo Anthony over the fatal stabbing that shocked communities across the United States and drew strong debate online about race, violence and social media abuse.
Anthony was found guilty by a Texas jury on Tuesday over the April 2025 killing of 17 year old Austin Metcalf during a school track meet in Frisco, Texas. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison after being convicted of murder.
The case gained widespread attention across the United States because of the age of those involved, the public arguments surrounding race, and the intense social media reaction that followed during the trial.
Jeff Metcalf, the father of the victim, told CBS Texas that no prison sentence could fully satisfy the pain caused by the loss of his son. Speaking after months under a court imposed gag order, he said the conclusion of the trial had finally brought him some peace after more than a year of grief and emotional strain.
Metcalf said he had spent months writing notes in a notebook directed at Anthony and eventually used some of those words during his victim impact statement delivered in court before sentencing.
During the emotional statement, Metcalf described grief as more than sadness, calling it rage and deep emotional pain experienced daily by families who lose loved ones to violent crime.
The victim’s father attended every day of the trial and described the experience as emotionally exhausting, particularly after seeing police body camera footage from the aftermath of the stabbing. He said one of the most painful moments was hearing Austin’s twin brother Hunter crying for help after witnessing the attack.
Metcalf said parents naturally want to protect their children and that hearing fear in his surviving son’s voice was one of the hardest experiences of his life.
Although he strongly criticised Anthony’s actions, Metcalf also acknowledged the harsh reality facing the convicted teenager, saying he would not wish such a future on anyone.
The case also exposed the growing problem of online abuse connected to high profile criminal trials. Metcalf said his family received death threats, suffered repeated swatting incidents and experienced the leaking of personal information online.
He criticised people who mocked the family or spread misleading information on social media, saying such behaviour made healing more difficult for relatives already dealing with severe trauma.
The issue of online harassment has become increasingly relevant in countries including South Sudan, where the growth of Facebook, TikTok and other digital platforms has also led to rising concerns over misinformation, cyber bullying and public intimidation during politically or emotionally sensitive events.
Legal experts in several African countries have recently warned that viral online campaigns can influence public opinion before court cases are completed, placing additional pressure on families, judges and witnesses.
Outside the Collin County courthouse in Texas, the trial also attracted political and racial arguments from activists and online commentators. Metcalf rejected claims that the case was driven by racism and insisted the confrontation that led to the killing had nothing to do with race.
He said some people continued spreading false narratives about the incident despite evidence presented during the trial.
Anthony may become eligible for parole after serving part of his sentence. Metcalf said he intends to oppose any future parole attempt if given the opportunity.
The father also spoke about trying to move forward with life after the trial. He said photographs and paintings of his twin sons remain throughout the family home and that a scholarship established in Austin Metcalf’s name would continue preserving his memory.
Metcalf added that forgiveness was important for his own wellbeing rather than for the convicted killer, saying holding onto hatred and rage would eventually destroy him emotionally.
The trial itself was largely hidden from public view because cameras were not allowed inside the courtroom. According to journalists and observers who attended proceedings, many of the emotional reactions from both families and witnesses were never seen publicly.
Court TV anchor Cody Thomas, who attended the proceedings daily, described the atmosphere inside the courtroom as highly emotional and intense as jurors listened to testimony surrounding the fatal confrontation.