The murder case that shocked public opinion at Memorial High School in Frisco on April 2, 2025, has officially concluded with a severe sentence for Karmelo Anthony. The 19-year-old has just been sentenced to 35 years in prison following his fatal stabbing of 17-year-old victim Austin Metcalf. After undergoing initial detention at the Collin County Jail, Anthony was officially transferred on the morning of Wednesday, June 10, 2026, to the Wallace Pack Unit (near Navasota, Texas) under the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to begin serving his sentence.

Startling Messages from Loved Ones

While public discourse continues to swirl regarding the severity of the sentence handed down to the perpetrator, those close to Anthony have chosen to take to social media, sparking divisive reactions. Valeria Perez, Anthony’s girlfriend, utilized the TikTok platform to share intimate photos of the couple and express her profound empathy for his situation. In her post, she wrote: “Hold your head high, my sweet boy. You’re not alone we’re fighting for you, always.” Furthermore, Perez emphasized her deep personal feelings, adding: “I love you more than words.”

On the family front, Kala Hayes—Anthony’s mother—also displayed unwavering resolve and a clear refusal to accept the current outcome. After her son was moved to the Pack Unit, she shared a defiant message via her Instagram Story: “But GOD……. The fight is not over. It has just BEGUN.” This tenacity suggests that the Anthony family is channeling all their resources into the legal battle ahead.

From Claims of “Self-Defense” to Appeals

Throughout the trial, Karmelo Anthony maintained his stance of pleading not guilty to first-degree murder. The teenager insisted that his actions were a result of self-defense during an escalating confrontation. The incident originated at a high school track meet at Memorial High School, where Metcalf (a white student at the school) had asked Anthony (a black male who did not attend the school) to leave the premises while the event was delayed due to inclement weather. The conflict reached a deadly peak when Anthony delivered the fatal stabbing.

In stark contrast to the Anthony family’s defiance, sources from TMZ indicate that the family of victim Austin Metcalf expressed their satisfaction with the verdict reached by the jury. Nevertheless, the legal odyssey of the case is far from over. According to current court records, Karmelo Anthony has officially filed a notice of appeal against the primary conviction. Currently, Anthony is undergoing the adjustment process at his new confinement facility following his period of medical isolation at the Collin County Jail. The case remains a focal point for the local community, where the boundary between seeking justice for the victim and the legal resistance from the perpetrator’s family continues to be intensely debated.