Just days after Karmelo Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf, the victim’s father unleashed an explosive public attack on Anthony’s parents, accusing them of abandoning their son, exploiting the tragedy for money, and refusing to take responsibility for what happened.

Appearing on the “JinxedSip” podcast shortly after a judge lifted the gag order that had restricted public comments in the case, Jeff Metcalf delivered a profanity-filled rant directed at Karmelo’s parents, Kala Hayes and Andrew Anthony.

Metcalf repeatedly labeled the couple “cowards” and “grifters,” claiming they disappeared once the hundreds of thousands of dollars raised through online fundraising efforts stopped flowing.

“You wouldn’t even show up for your son’s sentencing or victim impact statements,” Metcalf said during the interview. “You abandoned your kid. You left him there.”

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The grieving father also accused the Anthony family of profiting from his son’s death through fundraising campaigns that generated more than $630,000 following Karmelo’s arrest. According to Metcalf, the family only appeared publicly when money was being raised and failed to accept responsibility after Anthony was convicted of murder.

“I guess he’s no more use to you because you can’t get any more GiveSendGo money,” Metcalf said. “You are grifters. You should be ashamed of yourselves.”

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The comments marked Metcalf’s first major public appearance after the gag order in the high-profile murder case was lifted. Throughout the interview, he expressed frustration with what he described as the Anthony family’s refusal to acknowledge the jury’s verdict or the impact of Austin’s death.

Metcalf also criticized efforts by some supporters to portray Anthony as the victim, arguing that the focus should remain on the teenager who lost his life.

“The real victim is the one who died,” he said. “Not the one who shoved a knife in his chest.”

Jeff Metcalf, the father of Austin Metcalf, is facing backlash after referring to Karmelo Anthony as a “watermelon felon” during a podcast interview. He also accused Anthony's parents of abandoning their son

The interview grew increasingly heated as Metcalf accused Anthony’s parents of deepening racial tensions surrounding the case instead of helping bring people together. He argued that public discussion had shifted away from Austin’s death and toward political and racial divisions that overshadowed the facts of the case.

His remarks culminated in one of the most dramatic moments of the interview. Looking directly into the camera, Metcalf raised his middle finger and delivered a blunt message aimed at Anthony’s parents: “F*** you.”

Austin Metcalf's Dad Calls Karmelo Anthony 'Watermelon Felon' in Explosive Rant

The outburst came less than a week after a Texas jury convicted Anthony of murdering 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a confrontation at a high school track meet in Frisco in April 2025. Prosecutors argued that Anthony fatally stabbed Austin during an argument under a team tent, while the defense maintained that he acted in self-defense. Jurors ultimately rejected that claim and sentenced Anthony to 35 years in prison.

Anthony has already begun the appeals process, and his family continues to publicly challenge both the conviction and the sentence. Meanwhile, Jeff Metcalf’s latest comments highlight how deeply divided the aftermath of the case remains, even after the trial has ended.