Texas teen murder victim's father condemns killer's family

The father of a Texas teenager murdered at a high school track meet last year has publicly criticized the family of his son’s convicted killer for a lack of remorse and condemned national media commentators for what he calls the politicization and sensationalism of the tragedy. Jeff Metcalf made the remarks in an interview on Monday, June 22, 2026, weeks after Karmelo Anthony was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf in April 2025.

Metcalf expressed frustration that Anthony’s family had not reached out to his own. He said he had hoped for “some accountability, maybe, and some remorse” but that neither had been shown. He noted that Anthony’s family was absent during the sentencing and victim impact statements earlier this month, leaving Anthony alone in the courtroom after the verdict was read.

The case, which occurred at a track meet in Frisco, Texas, became a flashpoint for national debate over race and self-defense. Metcalf repeatedly insisted race was not a factor, stating he judges people on character, not skin color. He described his son as a compassionate, God-fearing leader who was a...