That was quick. I said earlier that we'd have a verdict by 3 pm local time. It's only 2 pm local time and it sounds like we have a verdict. As I write this it hasn't been revealed yet, but this can't be good news for Karmelo Anthony.
We will know in about 20 mins. They’re giving everyone a chance to get back inside the court.
— MaryAnn Martinez (@MaryAnnreports) June 9, 2026
I am headed into the courtroom and will reveal the verdict as soon as it's announced in the Karmelo Anthony murder trial
— J.D. Miles (@jdmiles11) June 9, 2026
The jury got the case at 10:50 local time. So it has been just over 3 hours. Presumably that might have also included a lunch break but maybe not. Either way, this is a very quick verdict.
Outside, police are prepared in case reactions to the verdict get out of hand.
Tense scene in and around Collin County Courthouse. More than 2 dozen deputies outside the courtroom alone. Outside a crowd is gathering with chants of "Free Karmelo" pic.twitter.com/Jy0e6jRNhl
— J.D. Miles (@jdmiles11) June 9, 2026
An aerial view of the courthouse.
🚨 JUST NOW: Police officers are LINED UP in HUGE NUMBERS after verdict reached in the Karmelo Anthony murder trial of Austin Metcalf
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 9, 2026
They are prepared to QUASH any thuggery, riots and crime 👏🏻
Law and order must always win! Pray for justice! pic.twitter.com/lP9WC31Ekc
I know the supporters outside the courthouse believe Anthony is innocent. Hard to believe these views are widespread though. I think what we're seeing here is a fringe. But I guess we'll find out after the verdict is announced. Will there be BLM style protests/riots in some cities tonight?
🚨 NOW: DOZENS of cops are pushing back Karmelo supporters as we await the verdict to be read
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 9, 2026
Getting tense
Any minute now! https://t.co/9e3L0cv8HC pic.twitter.com/Vi0INwG6QC
The families are awaiting the decision. Hunter is Austin's twin brother who was holding on to him as he died.
Karmelo Anthony's mother walked into the courtroom with tears in her eyes.
— MaryAnn Martinez (@MaryAnnreports) June 9, 2026
And there it is. The jury found him guilty of murder.
Breaking: A Collin County jury has found Karmelo Anthony guilty of murder in the death of Austin Metcalf
— J.D. Miles (@jdmiles11) June 9, 2026
Karmelo Anthony verdict:
— MaryAnn Martinez (@MaryAnnreports) June 9, 2026
GUILTY OF MURDER
Next up is sentencing. The same jury will decide Anthony's fate but it sounds like the defense will get another chance to reduce the charges.
The same jury will now decide Karmelo Anthony’s sentence. Texas law says a murder conviction is punishable by five to 99 years in state prison.
During the sentencing phase, the defense can argue that the murder was committed under the immediate influence of "sudden passion." Prosecutor Dewey Mitchell explained during voir dire that sudden passion is "a situation when someone is in such a state of emotion, based on something that just happened, that they don't have time to cool off." If the jury agrees, the charge is reduced to a second-degree felony, which lowers the punishment range to 2 to 20 years in prison.
He's going away for a long, long time.
Karmelo Anthony breaks down in tears you can hear inside courtroom. His bond has been extinguished he is in the custody of Collin County Sheriff
— J.D. Miles (@jdmiles11) June 9, 2026
Wow:
Judge did allow Karmelo to be escorted out of the room by deputies and lawyers. We are taking a little break.
— MaryAnn Martinez (@MaryAnnreports) June 9, 2026
I think the most remarkable thing about this trial is that there was this much tension given how blatantly obvious and one-sided the evidence was. Anthony admitted guilt moments after the murder. The only question was whether he could claim self-defense and there was zero evidence to support that. And yet, you have protesters outside who act as if this is a miscarriage of justice. It's not at all. This is exactly the outcome everyone of any race should have expected all along.
But as is often the case these days, the demand for racism exceeds the supply and you get nutcases like these people.
🚨 NOW: BLACK PANTHERS are attempting to launch a RACE WAR outside the Collin County Courthouse after Karmelo Anthony was found GUILTY
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 9, 2026
“We got to tell our kids the truth that this is a RACIST-ASS COUNTRY We gotta tell them the truth.”
“THIS IS A WAR”
“Don't NOBODY want to hear… pic.twitter.com/MoCQSQRQlE
This is war? If some white supremacists had said that it would be national news. This is no better.
Meanwhile, Anthony is back and sentencing is moving forward. I'm not familiar with the rules in Texas but this is apparently how things normally work. After a conviction you move on to a sentencing phase immediately.
Karmelo is back now. Jury will return and we will begin the sentencing part of the trial now. Jurors have to decide between 5-99 years in prison.
— MaryAnn Martinez (@MaryAnnreports) June 9, 2026
Karmelo Anthony's mother is taking the stand now as the sentencing phase of his murder trial begins. Prosecution and defense waived opening statements
— J.D. Miles (@jdmiles11) June 9, 2026
One witness was called in this sentencing phase: Anthony's mother, Kala Hayes.
"He's my oldest," Hayes said. "He'll always be my baby. I love him very much."
Hayes began weeping. In the gallery, Karmelo also appeared to be crying.
"Do you believe Melo regrets what he did?" Howard asked.
"Yes, I know my son, and he's very sorry for what he did," Hayes said.
"Is there anything you want to tell the jury?" Howard asked.
"Please have mercy on my son," Hayes said.
There should be some room for mercy, but Austin Metcalf is dead over a soft shove. Karmelo Anthony showed him no mercy at all. His twin is traumatized at having watched his brother die at a track meet. Mercy in this case is 3 hots and a cot for several decades in the care of the Texas prison system.
The only person to take the stand in the punishment phase was Karmelo Anthony's mother. She begged for mercy.
— MaryAnn Martinez (@MaryAnnreports) June 9, 2026
'Please have mercy on my son,' Hayes sobbed as she looked at the jury.
Both sides have closed out their cases. The court is now working on a charging document and will…
My understanding, based on some Googling of the law in Texas, is that the sentencing can be between 5 and 99 years but the actual time served is usually only half that before someone is eligible for parole. So if he's given 30 years, he would serve 15 before becoming eligible for parole. However, there is also a 30 years cap. So, if for instance, Anthony were given a 70 year sentence, he would still be eligible for parole in 30 years.
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