Karmelo Anthony, 19, was found guilty of murder on Tuesday in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a Frisco ISD track meet on April 2, 2025, according to CBS News and multiple outlets. A Collin County jury reached the verdict after hearing testimony from dozens of witnesses over several days, bringing an end to a closely watched trial that drew national attention and sparked debate over self-defense, race, and school safety.
Prosecutors argued Anthony intentionally stabbed Metcalf during an altercation between the two teenagers, while defense attorneys contended Anthony acted in self-defense. The confrontation began near a team tent area before Anthony stabbed Metcalf once in the chest, according to authorities. Metcalf was transported to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
The trial heard emotional testimony from Collin County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Elizabeth Ventura, who told jurors the stab wound pierced Metcalf’s heart and described the injury as a large, gaping wound that was not survivable, according to CBS News. Student witnesses who were at the track meet recounted the moments leading up to and immediately after the stabbing. One student witness testified he did not believe the stabbing was an act of self-defense, characterizing it as “lethal force against non-lethal force,” according to CBS News.
Defense attorneys argued Anthony acted to protect himself during the confrontation and sought to challenge the prosecution’s portrayal of the events. Defense witnesses, including Centennial High School track coach Adam Linwood, testified that athletes commonly socialized in other schools’ tents during track meets, according to CBS News. However, Linwood acknowledged there was no reason for an athlete to have a knife at a track meet.
The jury composition became a focal point of national attention during jury selection. No Black jurors were seated on the 12-person panel, according to multiple sources including the Dallas News and Washington Times. Prosecutors said the selection process was race-neutral, citing reasons unrelated to race for striking potential jurors. A Batson challenge—a legal objection to race-based juror dismissal—was denied by the presiding judge.
The trial now moves to its sentencing phase. Under a murder guilty verdict, Anthony faces a punishment range of five to 99 years or life in prison, according to CBS News. A manslaughter conviction would have carried a sentence of two to 20 years in prison. Judge John Roach allowed the jury to consider the lesser manslaughter charge during closing arguments on Tuesday morning.
Sources
- CBS News Texas — verdict confirmation, prosecution and defense arguments, medical examiner testimony, witness accounts, sentencing range
- Dallas News — jury composition details, Batson challenge denial
- Washington Times — jury selection and lack of Black jurors
- KWTX — jury composition and selection process details
- NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth — sentencing phase beginning
