\n Anthony, Karmelo Sincere | Image by Collin County Judicial online search; Jeff Metcalf with his sons, Hunter and Austin, posted 02\/13\/25 | Image by Jeff Metcalf\/Facebook <\/p>\n
Hours after a Collin County jury convicted<\/a> Karmelo Anthony of murder on Tuesday afternoon, the same twelve jurors returned a sentence of 35 years in state prison \u2013 a number that landed squarely in the middle of a range that ran from five years to life.<\/p>\n Both sides waived opening statements when the sentencing phase began. Prosecutors called no witnesses. The defense called just one: Anthony\u2019s mother, Kayla Hayes.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s my oldest, he\u2019s my firstborn,\u201d Hayes told<\/a> jurors, per CBS News. \u201cHe will always be my baby. I love him very much.\u201d When defense attorneys asked whether her son expressed remorse, Hayes said, \u201cYes, he\u2019s very sorry for what he did.\u201d<\/p>\n It was not enough.<\/p>\n Jurors deliberated for only 2 to 3 hours before returning the 35-year sentence. They also rejected the defense\u2019s claim that the killing was the product of \u201csudden passion\u201d \u2013 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.<\/p>\n What 35 Years \u201cMeans\u201d<\/p>\n Because murder is classified as a \u201c3G offense\u201d under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Anthony will face some of the strictest parole restrictions in the state.<\/p>\n Under the state\u2019s Government Code Section 508<\/a>, an inmate convicted of a 3G offense must serve the \u201clesser of half the sentence\u201d 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.<\/p>\n For Anthony, sentenced to 35 years, that means he may not be eligible for parole consideration until he has served at least 17 years \u2013 placing his earliest possible parole eligibility date around 2043 or 2044.<\/p>\n Parole eligibility is not parole. The Texas Board of Pardons would still need to approve any release, and denial can be high for violent \u201c3G convicts.\u201d Under a standard felony sentence, good conduct credits could have cut his parole wait by a big chunk \u2013 but the 3G classification takes that off the table.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Hunter Metcalf Addresses Anthony During Sentencing<\/p>\n Hunter Metcalf, Austin\u2019s 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<\/a> Anthony to look him in the eye, reported Fox 4 News.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you could just look me in the eye while I speak, I would really respect that,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n \u201cNow I want everything taken from you,\u201d Hunter told Anthony. \u201cYou took everything from me. I wake up every morning, and his door is still shut.\u201d<\/p>\n DA Willis Issues Statement\u2028\u2028<\/p>\n Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis stepped outside the courthouse to address reporters after the sentence was read.\u2028\u2028\u201dWe 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,\u201d Willis said. \u201cThis verdict sends a clear message. Violence like this won\u2019t be tolerated in our Collin County community. And we remain committed to protecting our schools and standing with victims and their families.\u201d<\/p>\n How the Sentence Compares<\/p>\n 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 \u2013 including life sentences.<\/p>\n