Austin Metcalf’s father says he never received an apology or any remorse from Karmelo Anthony’s family after the fatal stabbing that took his son’s life.
Speaking during an appearance on a Fox News program, Jeff Metcalf reflected on the aftermath of the case and the public debate surrounding it, particularly criticism that the trial and verdict were influenced by race.
Anthony, who was convicted of murdering Metcalf and sentenced to 35 years in prison earlier this month, is now preparing to appeal the sentence with the help of a newly assembled legal team.
Metcalf says there was never any contact
According to Jeff Metcalf, he had hoped that eventually there would be some level of accountability or acknowledgment from Anthony’s family.
Instead, he says it never happened.
When asked if he had ever spoken directly to Anthony’s family, Metcalf said no and said he never received an apology or any form of remorse.
“I was hoping for some accountability maybe and some remorse,” he said. “None of them were shown.”
Metcalf also argued that Anthony’s family was not present during the sentencing phase of the trial or for victim impact statements given afterward.
Frustration with racial narrative
Metcalf reiterated that he never wanted the case framed through a racial lens.
Anthony is black and Metcalf was white, and the case generated considerable attention online as various commentators debated whether race influenced public reactions, media coverage and ultimately the verdict.
Metcalf said from the beginning he asked people not to talk about race or politics.
Instead, he believes these issues became central points of discussion despite the facts presented at trial.
He specifically pointed to public comments by elected officials and media personalities that questioned the outcome of the case or suggested that Anthony did not receive a fair trial.
RELATED: Bodycam video captures what Karmelo Anthony told police after fatal encounter
Trial concluded self-defense claim
The case stemmed from a fatal confrontation at a Texas High School reunion in April 2025.
Prosecutors alleged Anthony stabbed Metcalf during an argument after being asked to leave a team tent area.
Anthony maintained that he acted in self-defense.
Jurors ultimately rejected this defense and returned a guilty verdict for murder.
The sentence resulted in 35 years in prison.
Appeal efforts are already underway
While the trial phase has ended, the legal battle continues.
A coalition supporting Anthony announced Monday that a new group of appellate, civil rights and criminal defense attorneys will review the case and pursue all available appeals.
The attorneys said their goal is to determine whether legal errors occurred during the case and ensure that all viable appellate issues are fully explored.
The team emphasized that the appeals process exists to evaluate whether the trial was conducted properly under the law, not to retry the case itself.
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The trial may be over, but emotions surrounding the case remain intense. Jeff Metcalf’s comments highlight the lasting pain experienced by families on both sides of a tragedy that forever changed several lives. As Anthony’s new legal team begins the appeals process, the public conversation surrounding the case is unlikely to die down soon, especially given the debates over race, self-defense and the handling of the trial that continue to divide opinion.
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