Austin Metcalf's father explains why he forgave Karmelo Anthony, his son's murderer

Jeff Metcalf, the father of slain teenager Austin Metcalf.

Jeff Metcalf is speaking out about the killing of his son Austin Metcalf, whom a Texas jury ruled this week was murdered by Karmelo Anthony at a high school track meet last year. The grieving dad had been unable to speak publicly about the case due to a court-imposed gag order, which expired when jurors handed down a guilty verdict.

Metcalf spoke with CBS News about the agony the case has brought him and his family as well as the explosive reactions to the verdict, and why he decided to forgave Anthony for stabbing his 17-year-old son to death. 

In response to the supporters of Anthony who have publicly spoken out against the guilty verdict, some in grotesque ways, Metcalf said, "I would hope they take a look in the mirror. And if you have children and if it was your child who was murdered -- would you like people dragging his name through the mud, making memes, making jokes, and just really vile comments?"

Metcalf also explained why he forgave his son's killer. “I forgave him. But people need to understand about forgiveness: forgiveness was not for him," Metcalf said. "Forgiveness was for me. So I don’t carry the rage, the hate and that around. It will eat me up like cancer.”

However, even though the forgiveness was primarily about his own self-preservation, in the interview with CBS News, he did express some sympathy for Anthony, whom the jury sentenced to 35 years in prison. He faced a maximum sentence of 99 years. 

"I'll even say this: I had a little bit of sorrow because I'm human," Metcalf mused. "And that poor boy is fixing to experience a life that I would not wish upon anyone." Watch a brief clip from the interview below.