McKinney, Texas — A Collin County jury on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, found 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony guilty of murder in the April 2, 2025, stabbing death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas.
The jury deliberated for approximately three hours before reaching a unanimous verdict, rejecting Anthony’s claim of self-defense. The same jury will now determine his punishment. Under Texas law, a murder conviction carries a possible sentence ranging from five to 99 years or life in prison.
Background of the Case
The incident occurred at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco during a rainy track and field event involving students from Memorial High School and Centennial High School. Multiple witnesses testified that Anthony, a student at Centennial, was under a tent belonging to Metcalf’s team and refused repeated requests to leave. A confrontation escalated when Metcalf, a Memorial student-athlete, approached Anthony. Anthony admitted to stabbing Metcalf in the chest but maintained he acted in self-defense after being shoved.
Prosecutors argued the stabbing was not justified, describing it as a senseless killing following provocation by Anthony. Defense attorneys contended Anthony reasonably feared for his safety. Anthony did not testify during the trial. Surveillance video and testimony from numerous student witnesses played central roles in the proceedings.
Metcalf, who was unarmed, died from the wound. Anthony surrendered to authorities shortly after the incident and was charged with murder. He was tried as an adult.
Reactions in the Courtroom
Following the reading of the guilty verdict, Anthony became emotional. Reports from the courtroom indicated he broke down in tears, with his defense attorney placing an arm around him for support.
The sentencing phase began promptly, with Anthony’s mother as the primary defense witness. She described her son as her firstborn and asked the jury for mercy. The jury is expected to deliberate on the appropriate punishment following brief presentations from both sides.
Judge John Roach Jr. presided over the case. The trial, which lasted about a week after jury selection, drew significant public attention both inside and outside the Collin County Courthouse, with crowds gathering and some demonstrations occurring.
Context and Legal Proceedings
The case attracted national interest, in part due to the racial backgrounds of those involved—Anthony is Black, and Metcalf was white—and discussions on social media. However, courtroom testimony focused on the sequence of events, witness accounts, and video evidence rather than broader social issues.
Anthony had no prior criminal record noted in reports and was described by some as an athlete and student prior to the incident. He was released on bond under certain conditions earlier in the process but was remanded into custody following the conviction.
This case highlights the serious legal consequences under Texas law for using deadly force in public confrontations, particularly when self-defense claims are raised. Texas statutes require that a person reasonably believe deadly force is immediately necessary to protect against unlawful force. The jury’s verdict indicates they did not find Anthony’s actions met that standard in this instance.
The Metcalf family has expressed grief over the loss of their son, a promising young athlete. Supporters on both sides have voiced strong opinions, but authorities maintained security to ensure orderly proceedings.
UPDATE: Karmelo Anthony has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for the murder of Austin Metcalf. He will be eligible for parole after serving half of his sentence.
