TEXAS — The father of Austin Metcalf, the teenager fatally stabbed at a track meet, has spoken out strongly against what he describes as the “moral decay of society” as the convicted killer, Karmelo Anthony, mounts a fresh bid for freedom through appeal.

Austin Metcalf’s family continues to grieve the loss of their son, with his father expressing deep frustration over the legal proceedings and broader cultural issues surrounding youth violence and accountability.

Karmelo Anthony, who was convicted in the high-profile self-defense case, now has a new legal team — including Texas NAACP President Gary Bledsoe and attorneys connected to Ben Crump’s firm — pursuing all available avenues of appeal.

An appeal focuses on legal errors from the trial rather than retrying the facts, but the Metcalf family and supporters view the ongoing efforts as prolonging their pain.

The case has divided public opinion, with intense debate over self-defense claims, youth accountability, and societal values. Austin’s family remains vocal in their pursuit of justice and remembrance of their son.

The appeal process is ongoing, with further court filings expected in the coming months.