Austin Metcalf’s father says ‘there’s no such thing’ as justice amid Karmelo Anthony trial

Austin Metcalf’s father is talking out after a judge denied Karmelo Anthony’s request for a brand new trial within the deadly stabbing of his then-17-year-old son at a Texas highschool monitor meet.

In an unique interview with ABC News, Jeff Metcalf mentioned he doesn’t imagine the conviction and jail sentence can convey his household justice.

“No. There’s no such thing. I got handed a life sentence,” Metcalf mentioned when requested whether or not he felt he obtained justice.

“So did Meghan, Hunter. So did everybody else in my family and her family,” he continued, referring to Austin’s mom, Meghan Metcalf and twin brother, Hunter Metcalf. “We don’t ever get to see Austin again. We don’t get to talk to him, hug him.”

Metcalf mentioned his household will now face numerous milestones and holidays with out Austin.

“There’s an empty seat at Christmas, Thanksgiving. Unwrapped packages. Graduations, missed. Birthdays. Being an aunt or an uncle. All taken away,” he mentioned.

Anthony, now 19, was convicted of homicide in June and sentenced to 35 years in jail for fatally stabbing Austin throughout an altercation at a monitor meet in Frisco, Texas, in April 2025. Anthony’s attorneys argued at trial that he acted in self-defense, whereas prosecutors referred to as the killing “unjustified” and “plain and simple murder.”

Tune in to “Good Morning America” on Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 7 to 9 a.m. ET on ABC for extra of the interview with Austin Metcalf’s father, Jeff Metcalf.

Metcalf mentioned that regardless of the ache his household has endured, he feels some sympathy for Anthony over the results he now faces.

“He still gets to see his family. It’s a tragedy he has to be in prison. I feel sorry for him,” Metcalf mentioned. “Just through the fact that his life is pretty much ruined.”

But Metcalf added, “I don’t feel sorry for what he did, though. He needs to be held accountable.”

Metcalf’s feedback come after retired Kaufman County District Judge Michael Chitty denied Anthony’s motion for a brand new trial on Saturday.

Anthony’s new attorneys had claimed he was “coerced” into waiving his proper to testify amid a dispute over an settlement between the trial attorneys limiting sure character proof. The protection additionally alleged that courtroom restrictions imposed by Collin County Judge John Roach, who presided over the homicide trial, denied Anthony a good trial.

Chitty was assigned to supervise the case after Roach was faraway from additional proceedings following the protection’s problem to his impartiality.

Following the denial of the movement for a brand new trial, Anthony’s appellate legal professional, Russell Wilson, mentioned in a press release that the authorized crew will proceed an enchantment within the Fifth Court of Appeals and “pursue every legal remedy available to our client.”