KARMELO ANTHONY APPEALS HIS 35-YEAR SENTENCE — BUT AUSTIN METCALF’S FAMILY SAYS THE FIGHT IS FAR FROM OVER

The Frisco track meet stabbing case has entered a new legal chapter.

Karmelo Anthony, the 19-year-old convicted of murdering 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a high school athletics event in Texas, has filed a notice of appeal after being sentenced to 35 years in prison.

For Anthony’s side, the appeal is the beginning of a new fight.

For Austin Metcalf’s family, it is another painful reminder that the courtroom battle may not be finished.

Anthony’s defense had argued that the stabbing happened in self-defense during a confrontation under a team tent at a rainy track meet. Prosecutors told a different story, saying Anthony pulled a knife during the dispute and fatally stabbed Austin once in the chest.

The jury rejected the self-defense argument.

After the verdict, Austin’s family delivered emotional victim impact statements, making clear that no sentence could equal the life that was taken. His parents and twin brother spoke about the future Austin would never get to live — the milestones, family moments, and dreams that ended in a single violent moment.

Now, with Anthony filing an appeal, the case is once again drawing national attention.

Reports say the appeal may focus on trial issues, including fairness concerns and legal arguments raised by Anthony’s supporters. Anthony has also filed paperwork claiming he cannot afford an appellate attorney, despite earlier fundraising tied to his defense.

But there is no confirmed report that Austin’s family presented new evidence that increased Anthony’s sentence by 10 years.

The sentence remains 35 years unless a court officially changes it.

That distinction matters.

Appeals can challenge convictions, sentencing procedures, jury issues, or trial rulings — but they do not automatically reopen the case or increase the punishment. Any change to Anthony’s sentence would require a formal court decision.

Still, emotionally, the appeal has reopened the wound for Austin’s family.

They fought through the trial.

They faced Anthony in court.

They heard the verdict.

And now they may have to prepare for another legal battle, even as they continue grieving a teenager they say should still be alive.

The courtroom chapter may have ended with a 35-year sentence.

But the legal fight — and the family’s fight to protect Austin’s memory — is not over.