Karmelo Anthony Sentenced to 35 Years for Texas Teen's Murder

On June 9, 2026, a Collin County jury convicted 19‑year‑old Karmelo Anthony of murder for fatally stabbing 17‑year‑old Austin Metcalf during a high‑school track meet in Frisco, Texas, and imposed a 35‑year prison term.

The verdict ignited a national debate about race and self‑defense. Rapper Cardi B denounced the sentence as “disgusting” on social media, while Metcalf’s father Jeff Metcalf used a podcast to launch a racist tirade, calling Anthony a “watermelon felon.” A WFAA reporter also faced criticism for referring to the courtroom dynamics as a “gorilla.”

After the sentencing, alleged supporters of Anthony were accused of threatening the Metcalf family, including death threats and a video of an assault captured in Jacksonville, Florida. Police are investigating the threats, and a GoFundMe campaign fundraising for Anthony’s legal defense was removed. Anthony’s lawyers have filed a notice of appeal.