Karmelo Anthony Convicted of Murder in Fatal Texas Track Meet Stabbing

By Black Insider Staff

McKINNEY, Texas — June 9, 2026

A Collin County jury has found Karmelo Anthony guilty of first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of fellow high school student Austin Metcalf during a Texas track meet in April 2025. The verdict was reached after approximately three hours of jury deliberations following a highly publicized trial that drew national attention.

Anthony, now 19, was accused of fatally stabbing 17-year-old Metcalf during an altercation at David Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Prosecutors argued that Anthony escalated a verbal dispute into a deadly confrontation when he pulled a folding knife and stabbed Metcalf in the chest. Witnesses testified that the disagreement began after Metcalf repeatedly asked Anthony to leave an area designated for Memorial High School students.

Throughout the trial, Anthony's defense team maintained that he acted in self-defense after being physically confronted and pushed by Metcalf. Defense attorneys argued that Anthony feared for his safety and reacted during a rapidly escalating encounter. However, prosecutors contended that the use of deadly force was unjustified and that Anthony had opportunities to walk away from the confrontation.

The jury ultimately rejected the self-defense argument and returned a guilty verdict on the murder charge. Anthony chose not to testify during the trial, a decision that legal analysts suggested could complicate efforts to persuade jurors that he acted in lawful self-defense.

The case became one of the most closely watched criminal trials in Texas, generating widespread media coverage and public debate. Supporters of both families gathered outside the courthouse throughout the proceedings, while court officials implemented heightened security measures due to the intense public interest surrounding the case.

Anthony now faces sentencing, where he could receive a lengthy prison term under Texas law. Because he was a juvenile at the time of the offense, he is not eligible for the death penalty or life without parole. The sentencing phase is expected to determine how many years Anthony will serve following the conviction.

For the Metcalf family, the verdict concludes a lengthy legal process that began with the tragic death of Austin Metcalf at a school athletic event. For the Anthony family, it marks the beginning of a new chapter as they prepare for sentencing and potential appeals.