Carmelo Anthony His mother reportedly sobbed on Tuesday, June 9, before jurors further deliberated to decide his sentence. A Collin County jury ultimately sentenced 19-year-old Anthony to 35 years in prison for the 2025 murder of a 17-year-old Austin Metcalf.
Prosecutors also chose not to call any witnesses. Defense ends only after Anthony’s mom
“He’s my oldest child. He will always be my child. I love him so much,” Cara Hayes, Anthony’s mother, sobbed to jurors, the New York Post reported.
“Does your son regret what he did?” the defense asked.
Learn more | What’s next for Carmelo Anthony? Austin Metcalf’s killer sentenced to 35 years in prison for Frisco track meet murder
“Yes, he’s very sorry for what he did,” Hayes said.
Carmelo Anthony sentenced
The jury took two and a half hours to reach a verdict. Both the prosecution and the defense waived their right to opening statements during the sentencing phase.
In closing arguments, the state urged jurors to focus on Metcalf because his life ended too soon.
“Austin Metcalf is a son. Austin Metcalf is a brother,” prosecutors said. “… I’m going to ask you to consider the age of the victim in this case… No matter what you do with your sentencing, no matter what you do, Carmelo Anthony will not have a greater impact on Carmelo Anthony than it will on the Metcalf family… Austin Metcalf didn’t get the chance to see the love of his life, hold up a plaque at graduation.”
Anthony is guilty of first degree murder Metcalf’s deathHe sobbed as he was found guilty of murder on Tuesday, June 9.
Learn more | Austin Metcalf’s twin brother Hunter receives posthumous diploma in emotional graduation ceremony: Watch
Anthony is accused of fatally stabbing Metcalf during a rain delay at a high school track meet. Before the stabbing at Frisco Memorial High School, Metcalf reportedly asked Anthony, who is black, to leave the event because he did not attend that school. Matt Kraft is white.
Anthony has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the April 2, 2025, slaying of Metcalf. He claimed he stabbed Metcalf in self-defense.
About 200 pro- and anti-Anthony protesters clashed outside the court. “This whole thing is racist. We didn’t let it be racist!” one protester yelled, according to the New York Post.
A demonstrator was angry that there were no black jurors in the trial.
“Tell those white people, why is a black boy in front of an all-white jury? When has a white boy ever been in front of an all-black jury? Never!”
The jury is made up of white, Asian and Hispanic members.
