Father of slain teen says family serves life sentence after retrial denial

Jeff Metcalf, the father of Austin Metcalf, expressed a complex mix of grief, forgiveness, and a sense of enduring punishment in a recent interview, following the denial of a new trial for his son's killer. Speaking to ABC News on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, Metcalf stated that the murder conviction and 35-year prison sentence for Karmelo Anthony do not bring his family justice. "No. There's no such thing. I got handed a life sentence," Metcalf said, explaining that his family will forever be deprived of Austin's presence. "We don't ever get to see Austin again. We don't get to talk to him, hug him."

Austin Metcalf, 17, was fatally stabbed on April 2, 2025, during an altercation at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas. Karmelo Anthony, now 19, was convicted of murder in June 2026 and sentenced to 35 years in prison. His defense team had argued he acted in self-defense, while prosecutors called the killing unjustified.

In the interview, Jeff Metcalf revealed he forgave Anthony on the day of the stabbing. "Had to. If I didn't, I'd be eaten up. I'd be angry. I might go do something," he explained. Despite this, he maintained that Anthony must be held accountable. Metcalf also...