THE girlfriend of Karmelo Anthony has broken her silence following her boyfriend’s murder conviction for the fatal stabbing of a high school student-athlete.
Valeria Perez expressed her support for her “sweet boy” in an emotional post on TikTok after her boyfriend was handed a 35-year sentence for the April 2025 murder of Austin Metcalf, 17.
“Hold your head high, my sweet boy,” Perez shared along with more than a dozen photos of her and Anthony together throughout their relationship.
“You’re not alone we’re fighting for you, always.
“I love you more than words.”
Kala Hayes, Anthony’s mother, also spoke out in a social media post after her son was hauled off to Collin County Jail, where he will be held until he’s ultimately moved to a state prison.
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“But GOD……. The fight is not over,” Hayes shared in an Instagram story.
“It has just BEGUN.”
Anthony’s uncle, Andre Anthony, posted on Instagram, “What ever [sic] it takes … #FREEMELO.”
Meanwhile, Metcalf’s family was reportedly “very happy” was with the verdict and Anthony’s sentencing, according to TMZ.
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The controversial murder conviction sparked an online uproar with supporters claiming Anthony, 19, was railroaded by the legal system in Collin County, Texas.
Toni Hayes, Anthony’s grandmother, was captured on video yelling, “Racist! Bias!” through the passenger side window of a black car as a throng of protestors gathered outside Collin County Courthouse on Tuesday.
Dominique Alexander, an advocate of the Anthony family, told reporters after the sentencing that the family vowed to file an appeal.
Alexander said his organization, Next Generation Action Network, put up the first $10,000 for an appellate attorney.
“I respected this process. I allowed and called for peace in this process,” Alexander said.
“But Black America should be very upset about what went on today.
“I’m only an advocacy leader. I’m not an attorney. I can only help families navigate these processes when they find themselves in these types of situations.
“I can only allow lawyers to be what they are – lawyers. I can’t instruct them, I can’t stop them from doing anything. I have to respect the process just like anybody else.
“But what we saw today was flawed, unjust, and I can ask that the community continue to pray for the Anthony family.”
Less than 24 hours after his conviction, Anthony’s legal team moved to appeal his conviction, TMZ reported.
Anthony broke down in tears and was reportedly seen shaking uncontrollably after the verdict was read and he was placed in the custody of Collin County Sheriff’s deputies.
The baby-faced killer’s parents, Hayes and Andrew Anthony, were distraught in the courtroom gallery after learning the fate of their eldest son.
Hayes sobbed on the stand as she begged the jury for mercy when considering her son’s punishment.
“Please have mercy on my son. He’s my oldest. He’ll always be my baby. I love him very much,” the emotional mother said.
“I know my son, he’s very sorry for what he did.”
During victim impact statements, Metcalf’s family unloaded on their son’s killer and demanded Anthony look them in the eyes.
Dad Jeff Metcalf delivered a powerful statement and blasted Anthony for destroying his family.
“You’re going to prison. You can’t even look me in the eyes right now, but you can stab my f**king son in the heart,” Jeff told Anthony, who kept his head down and remained quiet.
Jeff described the “unfiltered rage” he has lived with since his son’s death, saying, “People think that grief is sadness but it’s not.
“It’s rage. Pure unfiltered rage,” Jeff fumed as he pounded his hands on the table.
“You’re free to make choices all you want, but you’re not free from those consequences. You will face those consequences starting today.
“You failed your parents, you failed yourself and you failed society. You don’t belong in this community.”
Metcalf’s twin brother, Hunter, pleaded with Anthony to meet his gaze as he delivered a heartbreaking statement about losing his best friend.
“If you could just look me in the eyes while I speak, I would really respect that,” Hunter said.
“You let the devil take over in that moment. Eventually your name will be forgotten, but my brother’s memory will live on.
“You took a son, a brother, a friend, and my best friend from this world.”
Metcalf’s mother, Meghan, grieved that she had effectively received a life sentence of her own following her son’s death.
“You may have just been given a sentence of 35 years behind bars, but you can consider yourself lucky because I’ve been sentenced to a lifetime without my son,” Meghan said.
Anthony was being held in isolated and away from the general population during his time at Collin County Jail, according to CBS affiliate KTVT.
