A Texas jury has found Karmelo Anthony, now 19, guilty of murder in the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf, a fellow high school student, during a track meet in April 2025. The trial, which lasted a week from jury selection to verdict, drew national attention due to the racial dynamics of the case: Anthony is Black, while Metcalf was white. The jury, composed of 12 jurors and six alternates, had no Black members.
Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison on Tuesday. The incident occurred when a rain shower caused confusion at a Frisco Independent School District track meet. Anthony, a student at Centennial High School, sought shelter under a tent belonging to Memorial High School, where Metcalf and his twin brother were present. A confrontation ensued, resulting in Anthony stabbing Metcalf, who was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at hospital.
Anthony's defence argued that he acted in self-defence after being confronted by Metcalf and his brother, who are both about 6ft 1in and 213lb, while Anthony is 5ft 8in and approximately 130lb. The defence claimed Anthony reacted out of 'fear and chaos', but prosecutors described the stabbing as a 'sneak, surprise attack'. Prosecuting attorney Bill Wirskye said a witness quoted Anthony as telling Metcalf: 'Touch me and find out.' Video evidence was presented to support the argument that the incident was one-on-one.
Under Texas law, Anthony was tried as an adult despite being 17 at the time of the stabbing. Metcalf's twin brother, Hunter, was present in court for the verdict after being excluded during the trial as a potential witness. As the verdict was read, Hunter leaned forward, Anthony's mother wept, and Anthony broke down in tears. He has been remanded into the custody of the Collin County Sheriff's Office.
