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Karmelo Anthony trial: Jury to begin deliberations Tuesday after 4 days of testimony
FOX 26 Houston ^ | June 08, 2026 | Aaron Barker , Lori Brown and Tracy DeLatte and Madi Marks

Posted on 06/09/2026 5:54:11 AM PDT by Red Badger

The Brief The jury at the trial of Karmelo Anthony will get the case on Tuesday after four days of testimony. Anthony is charged with murder in the 2025 stabbing death of Austin Metcalf. If convicted, Anthony could face up to 99 years in prison.

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MCKINNEY, Texas - A Texas jury will soon decide the fate of Karmelo Anthony.

Anthony, 19, has been charged with murder in connection with the stabbing death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf.

Investigators said Anthony and Metcalf got into an argument over stadium seating during a track meet in Frisco on April 2, 2025. When the disagreement escalated, Anthony stabbed Metcalf in the chest with a pocketknife.

The defense has argued that Anthony was acting in self-defense after he was shoved by Metcalf.

After about four days of testimony, the defense rested Monday. That came after the state rested its case over the weekend.

Closing arguments will happen Tuesday before the case is handed to the jury. The judge has ordered the jury be sequestered.

If convicted, Anthony could face up to 99 years in prison.

Day 3 Recap:

Prosecutors rest their case

Testimony resumed on Saturday in the Karmelo Anthony murder trial for the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet in Frisco in 2025.

The state rested its case Saturday in the murder trial of Karmelo Anthony after calling 21 witnesses, handing momentum to the defense as testimonies shifted from the victim’s final moments to the casual culture of high school track meets.

Jurors earlier heard harrowing testimony from Collin County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Elizabeth Ventura, who detailed the "gaping," fatal 2-inch stab wound to Austin Metcalf’s heart. Student witnesses from Memorial High School also took the stand, describing Anthony as the aggressor who provoked a confrontation and refused to leave their team's tent before the stabbing.

The defense quickly launched its case by calling Anthony's track coach and teammate, who testified that mingling under other schools' tents during downtime was a common practice in the "organized chaos" of track meets. However, under cross-examination, defense witnesses conceded that a student would be expected to leave a tent if asked, and agreed there was no reason to bring a knife to a track meet.

Day 2 Recap:

Teenage witnesses testify after jurors watch arrest, bodycam video Several friends of Austin Metcalf testified in the Karmelo Anthony murder trial on Friday, and all consistently said they believed Anthony was the aggressor. FOX 4's Amelia Jones has more.

Eyewitness Testimony:

The state presented testimony from first responders, law enforcement, and several teenage eyewitnesses. A responding paramedic testified that Metcalf never regained consciousness, having been found with no pulse. School Resource Officer Eduardo Cortez recounted arresting Anthony, who was caught on body camera video stating, "I'm not alleged, I did it. He put his hands on me." Law enforcement later recovered the weapon—a blood-stained 3.5-inch folding knife—and Anthony’s backpack from the stadium bleachers.

Multiple student witnesses from Memorial High School testified that Anthony was the aggressor. They stated that Anthony entered their team tent to escape the rain and refused multiple requests to leave. The situation quickly escalated as Anthony verbally provoked Metcalf, stating, "Touch me and see what happens." Witnesses noted Anthony kept his hand hidden inside his backpack, warning that he had something. When Metcalf finally pushed or shoved Anthony's shoulders, Anthony immediately stood up and stabbed him in the chest.

Defense Strategy:

The defense focused heavily on a self-defense narrative, using cross-examination to highlight discrepancies between the students' courtroom testimonies and their initial police statements. The defense established significant physical differences between the two boys, noting that Metcalf outweighed Anthony by 50 to 60 pounds.

Crucially, the defense emphasized the physical positioning during the altercation: Anthony was sitting down with his bag on his lap, surrounded by roughly 20 people in a crowded tent, while Metcalf and several teammates stood over him. Trial consultants note this spatial dynamic will be vital for the jury when evaluating the self-defense claim.

Day 1 Recap:

Jurors watch video, listen to 911 calls The trial of Karmelo Anthony, a teen charged with the murder of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a Frisco track meet last year, began with opening statements on Thursday. FOX 4's Alex Boyer has more from the trial's first full day.

Opening Statements:

The prosecution and defense laid out two completely opposing narratives to the jury during their 20-minute opening statements. Collin County District Attorney Bill Wirskye called the incident a "provoked, unjustified murder," arguing that Anthony entered a closed team tent uninvited, provoked a confrontation, and launched a "sneak attack" with a hidden knife before fleeing.

Wirskye explicitly noted that the case is not about race or self-defense. Conversely, defense attorney Mike Howard argued that Anthony acted out of a "split second of fear and chaos." Howard described Anthony as an honor student working two jobs who remained seated until Metcalf and his twin brother confronted him, maintaining that Anthony used the knife strictly in self-defense because he felt cornered by a group turning on him.

Grainy Stadium Video:

Jurors viewed surveillance footage provided by Frisco ISD from multiple stadium angles. The video showed a figure identified as Anthony entering the Memorial High School team tent, followed by a brief scuffle and Anthony fleeing the scene as coaches and students gave chase.

Memorial High School track coach Robert Starr testified to the sacred nature of team tents, comparing them to a sports bench where you just do not go in uninvited. He became visibly emotional on the stand while describing the immediate aftermath of the stabbing.

Chaotic 911 Audio: turned deeply emotional as the prosecution played a chaotic 911 call from the scene. In the audio, Liberty High School football coach Joshua Rebmann, a military veteran who administered CPR, could be heard shouting, "Stay with me, Austin."

The state capped the day with a powerful visual display, presenting the physical, blood-stained jacket that Rebmann used to apply pressure to Metcalf's wound. Legal observers noted that displaying the bloody jacket right before adjournment left a staggering, lasting impression on the jury.


TOPICS: Education; Health/Medicine; Local News; Society
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To: TheThirdRuffian

I hope you’re right. But sentencing will be later


21 posted on 06/09/2026 6:47:27 AM PDT by j.havenfarm (25 years on Free Republic, 12/10/25! More than 12,750 replies and still not shutting up!)
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To: Common Sense 101

“Won’t happen... and if it is attempted, it will be shut down quickly.”

Oh really.....”only good cracka is a dead cracka”

Remember that?....you think that was an idle threat?.....I don’t.


22 posted on 06/09/2026 6:49:45 AM PDT by V_TWIN (America....so great even the people that hate it, won't leavebussed )
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To: ConservativeMind

Yes, but since he was 17 at the time he is ineligible for the Death Penalty...........


23 posted on 06/09/2026 6:50:17 AM PDT by Red Badger (Iryna Zarutska, May 22, 2002 Kyiv, Ukraine – August 22, 2025 Charlotte, North Carolina Say her name)
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To: Ikeon
Otoh, his parents are garbage, they used gfm finds and bought a house and cars and amazon instead of a lawyer. They are horrible people.

Im sure in the long run they got the advice to " spend it and let karmelo stand on his own personal funds, the court will give him a lawyer and the we will file for an appeal on " insufficient representation " .

meanwhile yall buy a new escalade, get him a Lexus- in your name and move to a house far from other ghetto chimps.

its all good

24 posted on 06/09/2026 6:51:32 AM PDT by Ikeon (David never prayed for Goliath, nope, he picked up a rock and hit him in the head. Job over.)
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To: BigFreakinToad

12 days? That’s the least likely outcome.


25 posted on 06/09/2026 6:52:22 AM PDT by PAR35
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To: Red Badger

About the size differences, many times the small guys are the most mouthy with a chip on their shoulder. For blacks with impulse control it is really dangerous.


26 posted on 06/09/2026 6:56:57 AM PDT by alternatives?
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To: Ikeon
Otoh, his parents are garbage, they used gfm finds and bought a house and cars and amazon instead of a lawyer. They are horrible people.

Im sure in the long run they got the advice to " spend it and let karmelo stand on his own personal funds, the court will give him a lawyer and the we will file for an appeal on " insufficient representation " .

meanwhile yall buy a new escalade, get him a Lexus- in your name and move to a house far from other ghetto chimps.

its all good

27 posted on 06/09/2026 7:02:53 AM PDT by Ikeon (David never prayed for Goliath, nope, he picked up a rock and hit him in the head. Job over.)
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To: TheThirdRuffian

25 years is a light sentence. 2nd degree murder or manslaughter? Will a deal be made? Will there be riots because a few instigators are in place to blow this thing up this summer?


28 posted on 06/09/2026 7:02:58 AM PDT by dforest
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To: I want the USA back

Life in prison? You are most kind


29 posted on 06/09/2026 7:03:11 AM PDT by dkGba
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To: ConservativeMind

He was under age at the time and not eligible for the death penalty.


30 posted on 06/09/2026 7:05:00 AM PDT by dforest
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To: Governor Dinwiddie

My impression is that KA intended to kill someone that day by provoking an incident that would result in a self defense scenario. There was no reason for any of his actions other than to create the situation leading to a death.


31 posted on 06/09/2026 7:08:18 AM PDT by Dutch Boy (The only thing worse than having something taken from you is to have it returned broken. )
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To: Red Badger

Obviously it was the dead kids fault and the mobs waiting to riot must be made aware of that


32 posted on 06/09/2026 7:13:14 AM PDT by South Dakota (Vance / Trump...2028 )
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To: Red Badger

The correct sentence would be the death penalty, which is unfortunately off the table. - so hopefully LWOP.

All White jury - no black jurors could be found, all were dismissed - so right there the appeals will be filed claiming the jury was racist.

Any/all riots should be instantly put down with extreme force, - the rioters treated the same way the J-6ers were treated - imprisoned, solitary confinement, no visits, harsh sentences handed down.


33 posted on 06/09/2026 7:14:13 AM PDT by Bon of Babble (You Say You Want a Revolution?)
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To: ConservativeMind

You can’t for a minor.


34 posted on 06/09/2026 7:14:46 AM PDT by MeanWestTexan (Sometimes There Is No Lesser Of Two Evils)
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To: Governor Dinwiddie
He needs to be locked in a cage for the rest of his life.

You are in a very generous mood.

35 posted on 06/09/2026 7:17:24 AM PDT by Jim Noble (Assez de mensonges et des phrases)
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To: Bon of Babble

All the prospective black jurors essentially dismissed themselves claiming that they would seek a verdict of innocent because of his ‘youth’..................


36 posted on 06/09/2026 7:19:34 AM PDT by Red Badger (Iryna Zarutska, May 22, 2002 Kyiv, Ukraine – August 22, 2025 Charlotte, North Carolina Say her name)
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To: Red Badger

Yes, a lawyer on my radio show said the black jurors were dismissed b/c they said they “didn’t want to see another young black man go to prison.”


37 posted on 06/09/2026 7:20:56 AM PDT by Bon of Babble (You Say You Want a Revolution?)
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To: V_TWIN

Texas will crush any riots, except maybe Austin.


38 posted on 06/09/2026 7:28:11 AM PDT by MeanWestTexan (Sometimes There Is No Lesser Of Two Evils)
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To: Red Badger

Austin Metcalf was called to testify, but was unavailable.


39 posted on 06/09/2026 7:28:17 AM PDT by faucetman (Just the facts, ma'am, Just the facts )
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To: dforest

It is light. But it’s a first offense and typical.


40 posted on 06/09/2026 7:29:00 AM PDT by MeanWestTexan (Sometimes There Is No Lesser Of Two Evils)
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