Jury Rejects Self-Defense, Sends Teen to Prison 35 Years for Track Meet Killing

The Verdict Took Less Than Three Hours

A Collin County, Texas, jury found Karmelo Anthony guilty of murder on June 9, 2026, and sentenced him to 35 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet in Frisco last year. The jury deliberated for under three hours before rejecting Anthony’s claim of self-defense.

Anthony, now 19, did not testify during the trial. Jurors had the option of returning a lesser manslaughter verdict but declined. The murder charge indicated the jury believed Anthony knowingly caused Metcalf’s death during the April 2, 2025 confrontation at Kuykendall Stadium.

The case drew national attention in part because of widespread social media coverage that framed it in racial terms. Lawyers on both sides told jurors the tragedy had nothing to do with race.

A Dispute Over a Tent in the Rain

The confrontation began when a spring thunderstorm delayed competition and Anthony sat under a tent belonging to Metcalf’s school, Memorial High School. Witnesses testified that Metcalf and others repeatedly asked Anthony to leave. According to a police report cited by prosecutors, Anthony reached into a bag at one point and said, ‘Touch me and see what happens.’ Metcalf pushed him. Anthony then pulled out a knife and stabbed him once in the chest.

The two boys attended different high schools in the same city and did not know each other. Metcalf, described by classmates as the MVP linebacker of his football team, died of his injuries. Anthony was arrested the same day.

Prosecutors argued Anthony provoked the confrontation and that a push does not justify a fatal stabbing. ‘You don’t get to meet a shove with a stab - especially if you provoke the shove,’ lead prosecutor Bill Wirskye told the jury. The defense maintained Anthony acted out of terror in a split second and had no time to think.

‘His Door Is Still Shut’

During the sentencing phase, Austin Metcalf’s father stood in the Collin County courtroom and directed his words at Anthony. ‘We were robbed,’ he said. ‘The public response sickens me, especially when a gag order didn’t allow me to defend my son.’

Austin’s twin brother, Hunter Metcalf, addressed Anthony for the first time at the hearing. ‘I want you to realize how much pain you caused me and my family,’ Hunter said, asking Anthony to look at him. ‘I wake up every morning and his door is still shut.’

Austin’s mother, Megan Metcalf, told the court all she has left of her son are videos.

The Only Witness for the Defense

During the punishment phase, Anthony’s mother, Kayla Hayes, was the sole witness called by the defense. She asked jurors to show her son mercy. ‘He’s my oldest, he’s my firstborn, he will always be my baby,’ Hayes said. ‘I love him very much.’ When asked whether her son regretted what he did, she said yes.

The jury sentenced Anthony to 35 years. He faced a range of five years to life. His legal team filed a notice of appeal less than 24 hours after the verdict, according to Collin County court records.

Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said after sentencing that justice had been served.

References: Karmelo Anthony Murder Trial Verdict Reached Texas Track | Karmelo Anthony Sentenced Frisco Track Meet Murder | Karmelo Anthony Texas Verdict Murder