Karmelo Anthony Breaks Down in TEARS After Guilty Verdict -- Here's What Happens Next

As you probably have heard by now, 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony was found guilty of murdering high school football star Austin Metcalf today.

Reportedly, the convicted killer started crying and shaking in court after the judge read off the verdict.

How pathetic is that?

Fox News described Anthony’s reaction to the guilty verdict in this clip:

BREAKING: Karmelo Anthony broke down in tears after the verdict was read, crying and shaking as his defense attorney comforted him, @Brooketaylortv
reports.

Anthony could now face up to life in prison.

During the sentencing phase, Anthony’s mother pleaded with the jury for mercy, describing him as her firstborn son and expressing her deep love for him through tears.

Prosecutors cross-examined her by asking whether she could still maintain a relationship with her son if he were behind bars — unlike the Metcalf family.

The same jury will now decide how long Anthony remains in prison. | @WillCainShow

His tears had no affect on the judge…

Daily Mail reporter MaryAnn Martinez shared Judge John Roach Jr.’s savage response to Anthony’s lawyer asking if he could go somewhere else to get himself together:

Extraordinary moment just now: Karmelo's lawyer asked if he could take his client somewhere to pull himself together. Judge responded Karmelo has been found guilty is now in the custody of the sheriff. 'Things move differently now,' judge said.

— MaryAnn Martinez (@MaryAnnreports) June 9, 2026

Now that the verdict has been reached, the jury will move on to decide what Karmelo Anthony’s sentence will be.

He could face anywhere from five to 99 years behind bars.

Newsweek explained how the sentencing phase works:

The sentencing phase in the Anthony murder trial resumed Tuesday afternoon as jurors returned to the courtroom to determine how much prison time the 19‑year‑old will face. Anthony was convicted of murder earlier in the day, a charge that carries a punishment of five to 99 years in Texas.

Unlike the guilt‑innocence phase, sentencing functions almost like a second trial, with the same judge, jury and attorneys but additional focus on the defendant’s background, character and the circumstances surrounding the stabbing. Both sides have the option to deliver opening and closing statements, though prosecutors and defense attorneys waived openings.

Jurors will also be asked to consider whether the killing occurred under the immediate influence of “sudden passion,” a legal finding that could reduce the offense to a second‑degree felony and lower the sentencing range to two to 20 years. Prosecutor Dewey Mitchell previously described sudden passion as a state of overwhelming emotion triggered by events that leave a person “without time to cool off.”

Without skipping a beat, the court moved swiftly into the sentencing hearing today.

The defense called up Karmelo Anthony’s mother to testify as part of it.

Both she and her son broke down in tears throughout her statement.

NBC News reported:

Immediately following the verdict, the judge moved on to the sentencing hearing.

The defense called only Anthony’s mother to speak on his behalf before sentencing. She gave a tearful statement asking the jury to “please have mercy on my son.” She said he is her oldest and “is very sorry for what he did.” Anthony wept during her testimony.

Outside the courthouse, supporters of Karmelo Anthony were also spotted having emotional reactions.

Watch this clip:

🚨 JUST IN: Karmelo Anthony broke down SOBBING after the jury UNANIMOUSLY came back with a guilty verdict of MURDER

There was plenty of sobbing amongst his supporters here outside the courthouse too, which quickly turned into RAGE pic.twitter.com/dSfdx5Nc2P

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 9, 2026

You also have this mother outside the courthouse, ranting about how she “don’t know” what to tell her boys after Anthony’s conviction:

🚨 JUST IN: Karmelo Anthony supporter RAGES saying "I don't know what to tell my 5 boys!" after Anthony is found guilty of murdering Austin Metcalf

"I don't know what to do. I got 5 boys. I ain't got nothin' to tell 'em no mo'. You can't walk away no mo'!"

TELL THEM NOT TO… pic.twitter.com/xuwpYulLGC

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 9, 2026

JUST IN: Karmelo Anthony supporter RAGES saying “I don’t know what to tell my 5 boys!” after Anthony is found guilty of murdering Austin Metcalf

“I don’t know what to do. I got 5 boys. I ain’t got nothin’ to tell ’em no mo’. You can’t walk away no mo’!”

TELL THEM NOT TO COMMIT MURDER. What don’t they understand?!

“Why do we have to care anymore? If we take up for ourselves, we go to JAIL, if we don’t, WE DIE! What do you want us to do?”

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Actually insane…

Maybe tell them not to kill people? That’s a good start…

To cry or be angry for a convicted murderer is just pure insanity!

Karmelo Anthony needs to go to jail for a long time…

The Metcalf family deserves justice.

We’ll let you know as soon as the jury reaches a decision on his sentence.