Verdict Reached in Carmelo Anthony Murder Trial

Updated at 6:42pm ET: Carmelo Anthony was found guilty of murdering Austin Metcalfe on Tuesday afternoon, leading the trial into the sentencing phase.

The Collin County jury that convicted Anthony reconvened to consider arguments from both the prosecution and defense regarding his sentencing. Reportedly, sentences can range from 5 to 99 years.

Interestingly, the jury was instructed to consider the concept of “sudden passion,” which, if deemed applicable, could reduce the sentence if the decision to kill was made in a heightened emotional state.

Under the Texas Penal Code, if the jury finds evidence of sudden passion, it could result in the crime being classified as a second-degree felony, which carries a penalty of 2 to 20 years in prison.

During the sentencing phase, the prosecution and defense waived opening statements. The prosecution then rested its case, and the defense called Anthony’s mother, Kayla Hayes, to testify.

“He’s my oldest son, my firstborn,” she said. “He will always be my baby. I love him so much.” Hayes confirmed that her son regrets his actions, saying, “Yes, he is very sorry for what he did.” This wrapped up the defense’s case with only this one witness.

However, prosecutor Bill Wilsky criticized the defense’s emotional appeal as irrelevant. He argued the outbursts were instigated by the victim and did not merit consideration of sudden passion in this case. “Mercy for the guilty is cruelty to the innocent,” Wilsky stated.

Wilsky highlighted the long-lasting impact on the Metcalf family, insisting that a significant prison sentence was warranted. “Only a long, long prison sentence is appropriate here. Your duty is clear,” he reminded the jury.

The jury was left to deliberate on Anthony’s sentence. They received specific instructions about sudden passion, indicating that if they unanimously concluded that it influenced Anthony’s actions, he could face a maximum of 20 years but not less than 2 years in prison.

On the other hand, if they found sudden passion not to be a factor, Anthony might face life imprisonment or up to 99 years, or a minimum of 5 years.

There’s also the possibility of parole, but Anthony wouldn’t be eligible until he has served half of his sentence or 30 years, whichever is shorter. The jury’s sentencing verdict must be unanimous.

Original story below

Jurors took just under three hours to reach a guilty verdict in Carmelo Anthony’s murder trial. They began deliberating at 10:54 a.m., with authorities announcing the verdict at 1:45 p.m.

During the reading of the verdict, Anthony was visibly emotional and is currently in custody, as his parents left the courtroom afterward.

Before deliberations, jurors had been instructed to consider the lesser charge of manslaughter as they examined the evidence.

At the time of the incident, Anthony was 17 and faced charges for fatally stabbing fellow 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, a well-known high school athlete, during a track meet in Frisco, Texas, in April 2025.

The murder charge is classified as a first-degree felony, meaning Anthony could be sentenced to anywhere from 5 to 99 years or life in prison.

Should he be convicted of manslaughter instead, a second-degree felony, the sentencing range would shift to 2 to 20 years.

Criminologist Alex Del Carmen mentioned he believed Anthony’s actions fit the criteria for manslaughter. He pointed out that while Anthony didn’t intend to kill anyone, he understood the risks when he brought a knife onto campus. “Whether it was self-defense or not, there had to be a rational choice,” Del Carmen argued.

The defense objected to jury instructions indicating that Anthony’s self-defense claim could fail if he was seen as provoking the incident. Nonetheless, prosecutors maintained that such instructions were valid, and the judge sided with the prosecution.

After the jury was convened, prosecutor Bill Wilsky began his closing argument by disputing Anthony’s self-defense assertion. He emphasized that one cannot meet violence with more violence, particularly when provoked.

Wilsky remarked, “In Texas, you can respond to deadly force with deadly force, but you can’t respond to assault with deadly force.” He underscored that the size difference between Anthony and the victim was irrelevant. “You can’t kill someone just because they’re bigger than you,” he stressed.

Ultimately, the jury’s decision comes amidst a backdrop of racial tensions, with notable discussions around the incident’s dynamics and social media reactions following Metcalf’s death.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated with new information regarding the sentencing phase of Anthony’s murder trial.