Father of track meet stabbing victim escorted from press conference with suspect’s family

DALLAS (WFAA) - The parents of a Texas teenager who is accused of fatally stabbing another teen at a school track meet spoke out for the first time Thursday.

Authorities in Frisco say 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony attacked 17-year-old Austin Metcalf on April 2.

Anthony was arrested and charged with murder.

During Thursday’s press conference, Anthony’s mother, Kala Hayes, said he was raised in a good, loving home. Hayes also said their family has received death threats since the deadly incident and they feel targeted without due process.

“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, have been overwhelming.

The press conference on Thursday was delayed after the victim’s father, Jeff Metcalf, showed up to the event.

“What we see at the beginning of this press conference of the father being at this press conference, these are my words, don’t quote anybody, it is a disrespect to the dignity of his son,” Dominique Alexander, president of the Next Generation Action Network,“ said during the family’s public appearance.

A court order prevents Anthony from having any contact with the Metcalf family.

Anthony was released from jail on Monday after his bond was reduced from $1 million to $250,000.