Anthony’s girlfriend, Valeria Perez, called him a “sweet boy” in a TikTok post where she expressed her support for him.
“Hold your head high, my sweet boy,” Perez wrote, sharing several photos of her and Anthony together. “You’re not alone we’re fighting for you, always.
“I love you more than words,” she added.
Anthony’s mother, Kala Hayes, also spoke out in a social media post after her son was taken to Collin County Jail, where he was held until he was moved to Pack Unit.
“But GOD……. The fight is not over,” Hayes shared in an Instagram story. “It has just BEGUN.”
Metcalf’s family was “very happy” with the verdict and Anthony’s sentencing, TMZ reported.
Karmelo Anthony to appeal conviction
Anthony is appealing his conviction now while preparing for his time behind bars. He was taken to the Collin County Jail and was in isolation at the infirmary within the jail, according to Fox News Digital. On Wednesday, June 10, he was transferred to the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to serve his prison sentence. He was taken to the Pack Unit near Navasota.
Anthony has now filed a notice of appeal following his conviction, according to court records.
Anthony, 19, was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the 2025 murder of 17-year-old Metcalf. He was accused of stabbing Metcalf to death during a rain delay at a high school track meet. Before the stabbing, which took place at Memorial High School in Frisco, Metcalf had reportedly asked Anthony, who is black, to leave the event since he did not attend that school. Metcalf was white.
Anthony had pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the April 2, 2025, killing of Metcalf. He claimed he stabbed Metcalf to death in self-defense.
