A Collin County jury rejected a self-defense claim and sentenced Karmelo Anthony to 35 years in prison.
MCKINNEY, Texas — Karmelo Anthony was convicted of murder Tuesday and sentenced to 35 years in prison for fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco, bringing a closely watched Texas case to a dramatic conclusion.
The verdict followed days of testimony about the April 2, 2025, confrontation that ended with Metcalf’s death at a district track and field championship. Prosecutors argued Anthony intentionally escalated a dispute into deadly violence, while defense attorneys maintained he acted in self-defense. The jury ultimately sided with the prosecution, delivering a verdict that carried decades of prison time and marked the latest chapter in a case that drew statewide and national attention.
The confrontation unfolded during a rainy morning at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, where athletes from multiple schools had gathered for competition. Testimony showed Anthony, then a student at Centennial High School, was under a Memorial High School team tent when an argument began. Witnesses described a brief verbal exchange that quickly intensified. Prosecutors told jurors the dispute centered on Anthony remaining in an area reserved for another school’s athletes. During closing arguments, First Assistant District Attorney Bill Wirskye called the killing “murder plain and simple” and argued Anthony had opportunities to walk away before pulling a knife. Defense attorney Mike Howard countered that his client feared for his safety and made a split-second decision during a tense encounter.
Jurors heard testimony from students, coaches, investigators and medical experts. Several witnesses said Metcalf and Anthony did not know each other before the incident. Accounts differed on the level of force used during the confrontation, a disagreement that became central to the defense’s self-protection argument. Medical evidence established that Metcalf suffered a fatal chest wound. Emergency responders and school personnel attempted lifesaving measures before he was transported to a hospital, where he died. Surveillance video captured portions of the encounter but not the stabbing itself, making witness testimony particularly important. Anthony did not testify during the trial, leaving jurors to weigh competing narratives about what happened in the seconds before the fatal blow.
The case generated intense public interest from the moment of Anthony’s arrest. Both teenagers were 17 years old at the time of the stabbing and attended different Frisco-area schools. Anthony was later indicted on a first-degree murder charge and tried as an adult under Texas law. Court proceedings attracted large crowds and extensive media coverage. Judge John Roach imposed restrictions on courtroom electronics and maintained a gag order because of the attention surrounding the case. Online discussion frequently extended beyond the facts presented in court, prompting repeated calls from officials for the public to rely on verified information. The tragedy also sparked broader conversations about school safety, youth violence and the legal standards surrounding self-defense claims.
Following the guilty verdict, jurors entered a punishment phase to determine Anthony’s sentence. Texas law allowed a range from several years to life in prison. Prosecutors argued for significant punishment, emphasizing the permanent impact of Metcalf’s death on his family and community. During victim impact statements, family members described the emotional toll of losing a son and brother. Anthony’s mother asked jurors to show mercy, telling them her son was remorseful and had a future worth considering. After deliberations, jurors imposed a 35-year prison sentence. Anthony’s attorneys indicated they plan to pursue appellate options, ensuring the legal process will continue beyond the trial court.
Outside the courthouse, emotions remained raw as both families absorbed the outcome. Supporters of the Metcalf family said the verdict delivered accountability after more than a year of waiting. Anthony’s relatives expressed disappointment and concern about the sentence. The courtroom remained crowded throughout the proceedings, reflecting the unusual level of public attention surrounding a case involving two teenagers whose lives intersected for only moments before tragedy struck. The trial transformed a brief dispute at a school sporting event into one of the most closely followed criminal cases in Texas.
The case now moves into the post-trial stage. Anthony will remain in custody while any appeal proceeds, and the conviction stands as the jury’s final determination of responsibility for Metcalf’s death.
Author note: Last updated June 11, 2026.