“I had never seen those pictures, and I never want to see those pictures. I saw one, and it was, that was enough,” said Jeff Metcalf.
His son, Austin Metcalf, was 17 years old when he was murdered by Karmelo Anthony, who was convicted earlier this month of killing Metcalf.
It happened at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, in April 2025. Following his high-profile trial, conviction and 35-year sentence, Anthony is actively fighting to appeal it.
KARMELO ANTHONY RUNS AWAY AFTER MURDERING AUSTIN METCALF: SURVEILLANCE VIDEO
Concurrently, the Metcalf family is coming to grips with the world having access to the graphic and disturbing audio and visuals that Collin County Courts made public.
Fox News Digital asked Metcalf if he felt it was necessary to show his son’s devastating injuries, to which he said, “We actually were escorted out of the courtroom during that part of the testimony.”
JEFF METCALF SPEAKS OUT ABOUT LOSING SON AUSTIN AND HOW HIS FAMILY IS MOVING FORWARD
At the same time, he said he understands it’s publicly accessible.
“Do I think it’s morally correct to show that? No, because, really, the wound has nothing to do with the case,” he said.
Court records reveal the fatal chest wound measured two inches in length.
“It’s not a puncture wound. It’s a stab, and a twist, and a pull,” Metcalf said.
Throughout his trial, Anthony’s defense argued the killer acted in self-defense. Weeks after his sentencing, Fox News Digital has learned a team of civil defense attorneys has joined his fight to appeal his conviction and sentencing.
“There was no fight; there [were] no punches. He wasn’t jumped. He didn’t try to escape from a gang of people that surrounded him. The only time that people stood up was when after Austin was stabbed, because they realized it happened so fast,” Metcalf said about the altercation between his son and Anthony under the track meet tent.
Anthony’s court records reveal a “motion to substitute counsel” was filed Monday. Until then, he was being represented by court-appointed attorney Lara Bracamonte Davila in his appeal.
Fox News Digital confirmed veteran criminal defense attorney Russell Wilson II will be joining the fight to appeal.
Also joining the team is Gary Bledsoe, who is the president of the Texas NAACP; Michael L. Ware; Brooke Cluse, who works for Ben Crump Law; Sean Dardia; and Justin A. Moore, according to CBS Texas. The team is reportedly working pro bono.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Stand with Karmelo Coalition for comment.
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