Texas Jury Sentences Karmelo Anthony to 35 Years for Stabbing Death of Austin Metcalf
Judge John Roach said the jury followed the law and reached its verdict in the courtroom after rejecting Anthony’s self-defense and sudden-passion claims.
New York PostA Texas jury sentenced Karmelo Anthony to 35 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf. The trial concluded last week. Judge John Roach, who presided over the case, told WFAA the jury made the right decision.
“Yes they did because they were picked based upon the law, they listened to the facts, it happened in this courtroom, and they got a verdict,” Roach said. The jury rejected Anthony’s self-defense claim and a proposed sudden-passion argument that would have reduced the conviction to second-degree murder with a maximum 20-year sentence. Anthony is Black and Metcalf was white.
Roach described Anthony as appearing to be a nice young man. “He seems like a nice young man who committed a crime and he understands today more than any day before the consequences of committing a crime like he did,” the judge said. Anthony has filed a notice to appeal his conviction.
Roach said he would disregard public criticism of the proceedings. “As long as I follow the law, I sleep well at night,” he said.
