Hours after a Collin County jury convicted Karmelo Anthony of murder on Tuesday afternoon, the same twelve jurors returned a sentence of 35 years in state prison – a number that landed squarely in the middle of a range that ran from five years to life.
Both sides waived opening statements when the sentencing phase began. Prosecutors called no witnesses. The defense called just one: Anthony’s mother, Kayla Hayes.
“He’s my oldest, he’s my firstborn,” Hayes told jurors, per CBS News. “He will always be my baby. I love him very much.” When defense attorneys asked whether her son expressed remorse, Hayes said, “Yes, he’s very sorry for what he did.”
It was not enough.
Jurors deliberated for only 2 to 3 hours before returning the 35-year sentence. They also rejected the defense’s claim that the killing was the product of “sudden passion” – an affirmative defense under Texas law that, had it succeeded, would have reclassified the offense as a second-degree felony and capped any sentence at 20 years.
What 35 Years “Means”
Because murder is classified as a “3G offense” under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Anthony will face some of the strictest parole restrictions in the state.
Under the state’s Government Code Section 508, an inmate convicted of a 3G offense must serve the “lesser of half the sentence” or 30 years in actual calendar time before becoming eligible to apply for parole. Unlike standard felony sentences, good conduct credits do not apply. Only actual days served behind bars count toward parole eligibility.
For Anthony, sentenced to 35 years, that means he may not be eligible for parole consideration until he has served at least 17 years – placing his earliest possible parole eligibility date around 2043 or 2044.
Parole eligibility is not parole. The Texas Board of Pardons would still need to approve any release, and denial can be high for violent “3G convicts.” Under a standard felony sentence, good conduct credits could have cut his parole wait by a big chunk – but the 3G classification takes that off the table.
Anthony turns 20 later this year, his earliest parole eligibility lands in his late thirties, and the full term takes him to 54. Of note, it appears the jury made sure Anthony would at least serve a sentence, at minimum, to the age of Austin Metcalf (17) when Anthony murdered him.
Hunter Metcalf Addresses Anthony During Sentencing
Hunter Metcalf, Austin’s twin brother, had not been in the courtroom during the trial. He entered after the sentence was read to deliver a victim impact statement, during which he asked Anthony to look him in the eye, reported Fox 4 News.
“If you could just look me in the eye while I speak, I would really respect that,” he said, adding that he has been trying to learn how to forgive and has chosen to lean on his faith. He took the time to remind Anthony of the loss his family has endured.
“Now I want everything taken from you,” Hunter told Anthony. “You took everything from me. I wake up every morning, and his door is still shut.”
DA Willis Issues Statement
Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis stepped outside the courthouse to address reporters after the sentence was read. ”We are grateful to this jury, and we are grateful that the good citizens of Collin County had an opportunity to weigh in on this case,” Willis said. “This verdict sends a clear message. Violence like this won’t be tolerated in our Collin County community. And we remain committed to protecting our schools and standing with victims and their families.”
How the Sentence Compares
This 35-year sentence for Karmelo Anthony falls squarely in the middle range of recent first-degree murder convictions in North Texas, where juries could have imposed much longer terms – including life sentences.
At least 24 individuals received life sentences for murder and related offenses in Tarrant County during 2024 alone, according to records from the County District Attorney’s Office.
