Sobbing Karmelo Anthony learns his fate for murdering Austin Metcalf at Texas high school track meet
Karmelo Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison on Monday for the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf at a track meet after the jury rejected a proposed “sudden passion” argument that could have significantly reduced his punishment.
The jury in Collin County, Texas deliberated for about three hours before finding Anthony, 19, guilty of first-degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Metcalf earlier Monday afternoon. They then spent nearly another three hours deciding his lengthy sentence.
During the sentencing phase, the jury weighed the potential extenuating circumstances of “sudden passion” – crimes committed in the heat of the moment that, in Texas, reduce punishments.
The jury wasn’t swayed by Anthony’s lawyers “sudden passion” claim and sentenced him to 35 years. He faced a maximum of 99 years or life.
The “sudden passion” extenuation would’ve downgraded his verdict from first-degree to second-degree murder and shrunk his steep punishment to a maximum of 20 years.
Before the jury broke for deliberation, prosecutor Dewey Mitchell explained that the sentencing was about deciding the cost “of taking a life” in Collin County – one of the most conservative parts of Texas.
“There are going to be bleachers at stadiums in Collin County where parents are going to watch their kids play. One of the reasons we’re in the community we live in is because we feel safe,” Mitchell said, according to NBC.
One of Anthony’s lawyers, Mike Howard, insisted that considering the extenuating circumstance at hand wasn’t about blaming anyone at the track meet the day Metcalf was murdered.
“Decisions made in the heat of the moment are different than decisions that come after reflection.
“So when something happens … and you believe that Karmelo felt terror in that moment such that it rendered his mind incapable that he didn’t have time for cool reflection, then sudden passion applies,” the lawyer said.
Anthony sobbed his way through the bulk of the “mini-trial” after the jury delivered his guilty verdict.
Anthony insisted he acted in self-defense, but did not take the witness stand during the trial – a move experts say likely sealed his guilty fate.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
