Crime
Austin Metcalf’s Dad Explains Why He Forgave Karmelo Anthony, Says He ‘Might’ Have Sought ‘Revenge’ Otherwise
The father of slain Texas teen Austin Metcalf says forgiving his son’s murderer, Karmelo Anthony, was the only way he could keep the anger from consuming him.
In an interview with ABC News that aired on Tuesday, August 25, Jeff Metcalf spoke about forgiving Karmelo, the need for accountability, and the denial of Karmelo’s request for a new trial.
As Globe reported in June, Karmelo, 19, was convicted of murder in June and sentenced to 35 years in prison for fatally stabbing Jeff’s 17-year-old son during an April 2, 2025, school track meet in Frisco, Texas.
A judge denied Karmelo’s request for a new trial on Saturday, August 22.
“I forgave [Karmelo] the first day it happened,” Jeff told ABC News, recalling the day his son was killed. “I had to. If I didn’t, I’d be eaten up. I’d be angry. I might go do something. I’d be looking for revenge.”
Jeff expressed sympathy for Karmelo without backing away from his belief that the conviction was justified. “He still gets to see his family. It’s a tragedy he has to be in prison. I feel sorry for him,” he continued. “Just through the fact that his life is pretty much ruined.”
“I don’t feel sorry for what he did, though. He needs to be held accountable,” he added.
Jeff said he could not imagine sitting down with Karmelo’s parents, arguing that the two families had responded to the case in fundamentally different ways.
“We obviously are different people, and we choose to parent differently. My son is at a cemetery, and their son is in a prison cell. I don’t know what we would have to talk about, to be honest,” he added.
Jeff also claimed during the chat that Karmelo’s family never contacted him to offer condolences or express remorse.
He also criticized efforts to frame the case around race, saying he viewed it as a matter of right and wrong.
When he was asked whether the verdict delivered justice, Jeff rejected the idea. “No. There’s no such thing. I got handed a life sentence,” the heartbroken father said during the interview.
In June, Jeff directed sharp criticism at Karmelo’s parents — Kala Anthony and Drew Anthony — accusing them of “choosing to monetize the death of a dead child” and speaking “very derogatory of him.”
“Drew Anthony, Kala, you’re cowards. You wouldn’t even show up for your son’s sentencing or victim statement impact. You abandoned your kid. You left him there,” Jeff said during an appearance on the JinxedSip Podcast.
“I guess he’s no more use to you ’cause you can’t get anymore GoFundMe money or [Give]SendGo money. You are grifters. You should be ashamed of yourselves. You raised that child and I swear to God, CPS should come check on those other three that you still have,” he continued.
As Globe previously reported, post-trial proceedings revealed that prosecutors and defense attorneys had agreed to keep character evidence about Karmelo and Austin from jurors.
Karmelo’s appellate attorneys argued that courtroom restrictions and disputes surrounding that agreement deprived him of a fair trial, according to Fox News.
His legal team plans to continue its appeal.
