Karmelo Sincere Anthony’s parents, Kala Hayes and Andrew Anthony, have remained at the center of their son’s legal battle since his arrest in connection with the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas.
Following Karmelo’s June 2026 murder conviction and 35-year prison sentence, both parents have spoken publicly about their belief that their son acted in self-defense. They have also criticized the trial and pledged to continue supporting his legal challenge.
As of August 2026, their family remains involved in the ongoing effort to secure a new trial. A judge who presided over the original proceedings was recently removed from the case, and retired Judge Michael Chitty is now handling the motion for a new trial.
Who Are His Parents?
Karmelo Anthony’s parents are Kala Hayes, his mother, and Andrew Anthony, his father.
They became familiar figures in media coverage of the case because they have consistently defended their son publicly. Their comments have focused on his character, the family’s belief in his self-defense account and their concerns about how the original trial was conducted.
The couple has also faced intense public scrutiny and harassment during a case that attracted national attention. CBS News Texas reported that both the Anthony and Metcalf families experienced threats, doxing and swatting incidents connected to the controversy.
Kala Hayes
Kala Hayes has been particularly outspoken about her son’s innocence.
After the jury found Karmelo guilty, she maintained that he did not intend to kill Austin Metcalf and that he acted while defending himself. In an interview with CBS News following the verdict, Hayes described the trial as deeply flawed and questioned the consistency of witness accounts.
Hayes also addressed the jury during the sentencing phase, asking members to show mercy toward her son.
Her comments since the conviction have made clear that she continues to reject the prosecution’s characterization of Karmelo’s actions.
Andrew Anthony
Andrew Anthony has likewise challenged the outcome of the trial.
In interviews after the conviction, he argued that his son had effectively been judged by the public before the courtroom proceedings began. He said the family believed Karmelo was already considered guilty in the court of public opinion.
Andrew also raised concerns about the makeup of the jury, pointing specifically to what he described as an all-White jury. He and other family supporters have argued that questions surrounding race and the public atmosphere deserved greater consideration.
His public comments have generally emphasized the family’s frustration with what he believes were procedural failures during the trial.
Their Defense
The central position maintained by Karmelo’s family is that he acted in self-defense.
Karmelo was convicted in June 2026 after prosecutors argued that he intentionally stabbed Metcalf during a confrontation at the track meet. The defense presented a different account, maintaining that the encounter escalated after Metcalf confronted and pushed Anthony.
The jury rejected the self-defense claim and convicted Anthony of murder. He was subsequently sentenced to 35 years in prison.
His parents have continued to stand behind the defense version of events.
After The Verdict
The conviction did not end the Anthony family’s involvement in the case.
Following sentencing, Karmelo’s legal team began pursuing post-conviction remedies. The family has attended court proceedings and publicly supported the effort to obtain a new trial.
In June, Andrew and Kala spoke about their disappointment with the verdict and said they intended to continue fighting for their son.
Their position has remained consistent even as new information surrounding the case has emerged.
The August Hearings
August 2026 brought a significant development for the Anthony family.
Karmelo’s attorneys asked for State District Judge John Roach Jr. to be removed from the post-trial proceedings. The defense pointed, among other things, to comments Roach made in a television interview after the conviction in which he said the jurors had “got it right.”
Visiting Judge Sid Harle granted the recusal request on August 19. Retired Judge Michael Chitty was then assigned to consider the defense’s request for a new trial.
For Karmelo’s parents, the decision represented an important development in their continuing legal fight.
The New Trial Request
The defense’s request for a new trial has raised several issues concerning the original proceedings.
Among the arguments are claims about judicial impartiality, courtroom procedures and evidence that was not presented to the original jury. Recent hearings have also revealed previously undisclosed information about the backgrounds of both Karmelo Anthony and Austin Metcalf.
The defense argues that some of this information should have been available to jurors. Prosecutors, meanwhile, maintain that the original trial was properly conducted and have presented their own arguments concerning the excluded material.
The new evidence and competing arguments do not themselves mean that a new trial has been granted.
A Family Under Pressure
The intense attention surrounding the case has affected both families.
Andrew Anthony has spoken publicly about receiving threatening messages, while CBS News Texas reported that the Anthony family experienced threats and swatting incidents during the broader controversy.
The family has also attracted supporters who believe Karmelo’s conviction was unjust. At the same time, the case has generated strong reactions from people supporting Austin Metcalf’s family.
The result has been an unusually polarized public discussion surrounding a criminal case involving two teenagers.
What Happens Next?
As of August 22, 2026, Karmelo Anthony’s conviction and 35-year sentence remain in place.
The recent removal of Judge Roach does not overturn the conviction. Instead, it means that another judge will oversee the post-trial proceedings. Judge Michael Chitty is considering the defense’s motion for a new trial, while Karmelo’s attorneys continue to pursue additional legal options.
Kala Hayes and Andrew Anthony continue to support their son’s legal fight.
Karmelo Sincere Anthony’s parents are Kala Hayes and Andrew Anthony. Since the beginning of his highly publicized case, they have maintained that their son acted in self-defense and have strongly disputed the murder conviction.
Kala has spoken emotionally about her belief in her son’s innocence, while Andrew has criticized what he considers an unfair legal process and questioned the influence of public opinion on the case.
Their fight continues in August 2026. After Judge John Roach was removed from the post-trial proceedings, Judge Michael Chitty took over consideration of Karmelo Anthony’s request for a new trial.
Whatever the eventual legal outcome, Kala Hayes and Andrew Anthony have made clear that they intend to remain beside their son throughout the next stage of the case.
