Jury returns for closing arguments
The defense and prosecution teams returned to the court, as did Karmelo Anthony, who was visibly shaking in his chair and putting his head in his hands.
"Members of the jury, you have now found Karmelo Anthony guilty of murder and it becomes your duty to assess punishment," Judge Roach said.
PROSECUTOR: Austin Metcalf was a son. Austin Metcalf was a brother ... I'm going to ask you to consider the age of the victim in this case ... Nothing you do with your verdict, nothing you do, will take more from Karmelo Anthony than it did from the Metcalfs ... Austin Metcalf didn't have the opportunity to meet the love of his life, hold a plaque at graduation."
The prosecution showed an image from the track meet of coaches praying over Austin Metcalf at the Frisco ISD track meet last year, saying, "they were praying for healing."
Hunter Metcalf has his hands on his face and is shaking his head.
Addressing social media, the prosecution said they don't know what the jurors know, but said they trust jurors will hold Karmelo Anthony accountable.
Defense makes closing arguments, introduces "sudden passion"
"We respect your verdict and we respect your role," the defense said to the jury in closing arguments.
"We as Americans trust in our community," the defense said. "I know it's a heavy burden and I know it's a heavy weight you're carrying ... I can only ask you to consider both sides."
The issue of "sudden passion" was brought up, asking them to decide if there was sudden passion in split moment. If [the jury] unanimously believes that in "sudden passion," which means emotion, feeling that is directly caused by provocation, passion arises, then decisions made in the heat of the moment are different.
The defense argues that if [the jury] believes Anthony felt terror in that moment, didn't have time for cool reflection, then sudden passion applies and the burden is on us, but the burden is much lower.
The defense said the video showed "sudden passion."
"This is not about blaming the victim," the defense said. "I ask you to consider both sides."
According to the Texas Penal Code, at the punishment stage of a trial, the defendant may raise the issue as to whether he caused the death under the immediate influence of sudden passion arising from an adequate cause. If the defendant proves the issue in the affirmative by a preponderance of the evidence, the offense is a felony of the second degree.
The sentence can range from 2 to 20 years for sudden passion.
