Jeff Metcalf. Photo:
CBS Texas/YouTube
The father of the Texas high school student stabbed to death at a track meet made an unexpected appearance at a press conference being held by the parents of the teenage murder suspect.
Jeff Metcalf, who lost his son Austin Metcalf, arrived at the Dallas venue where the parents of Karmelo Anthony were speaking publicly for the first time on Thursday.
Video posted by CBS Texas shows officers from the Dallas Police Department arriving about 40 minutes after the scheduled start of the press conference and escorting Metcalf from the venue without incident.
Anthony family spokesperson Dominique Alexander began the press conference by criticizing Metcalf for deciding to attend the event, saying that his attendance was “a disrespect to the dignity of his son.”
Alexander went on to say: “He knew that it is inappropriate to be near the family, but he did it. Actions speak louder than words.”
Karmelo Anthony. Frisco Police Dept.
Karla Hayes, the mother of Karmelo Anthony, said her family has been under attack from segments of the public since her son allegedly killed Austin Metcalf on April 2.
“Whatever you think what happened between Karmelo and the Metcalf boys, my three younger children, my husband and I didn’t do anything to deserve to be threatened, harassed and lied about,” Hayes said. “The lies and false accusations that have been said about us, especially over the past week, has been overwhelming. The lies and their amplification put my family in danger.”
She also addressed the Metcalf family, saying: “To the family who experienced the loss, my heart truly goes out to you.”
Austin Metcalf. Austin Metcalf/X
Hayes also made a public plea that her son not be expelled from school just one month from graduation, and instead be allowed to finish his coursework from home,.
Anthony faces a murder charge. He was released from custody this week after the judge overseeing his case reduced his bond from $1 million to $250,000. He is now under house arrest and must wear an ankle monitor at all times.
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Anthony allegedly removed a knife from his backpack and stabbed Metcalf while the two were attending a track meet at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco.
Metcalf was pronounced dead when he arrived at the hospital, according to police.
PEOPLE obtained a copy of the probable cause affidavit in the case, which notes that Anthony had distanced himself from the victim and other athletes when police arrived on the scene.
The arresting officer ordered Anthony to put his hands up, at which time Anthony allegedly shouted: “I was protecting myself.”
Anthony then complied with the officer’s instructions and requests as he was led off the field for questioning, according to the affidavit.
When the officer referred to Anthony as an “alleged suspect,” he seemingly admitted to the crime in response, allegedly saying “I’m not alleged, I did it,” according to the affidavit.
