Texas teen Karmelo Anthony convicted of murder in track meet stabbing
A Texas jury has found 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony guilty of murder in the April 2025 death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, a student from a rival high school. The fatal stabbing occurred during a Frisco school district track meet in stadium bleachers. According to witnesses, the two teenagers, who did not know each other, got into an argument after Anthony was asked to leave a tent belonging to Metcalf's team during a rainy weather delay. Prosecutors argued Anthony provoked the confrontation and stabbed Metcalf intentionally. Anthony's defense maintained he acted in self-defense. The jury deliberated about three hours before reaching a guilty verdict and later sentenced him to 35 years in prison. The case drew national attention and sparked debate about self-defense laws, school safety, racial tensions, and jury composition.
Key facts
- Karmelo Anthony, then 17, fatally stabbed Austin Metcalf, also 17, on April 2, 2025, at Kuykendall Stadium during a Frisco ISD track meet
- The fatal stab wound pierced Metcalf's heart, according to medical examiner testimony
- Anthony was convicted of first-degree murder after jury deliberation of approximately three hours
- Jury sentenced Anthony to 35 years in prison, eligible for parole after serving at least 17.5 years
- A 12-person jury with six alternates was seated, none of whom were Black; the defense filed a Batson challenge which was rejected
- Anthony admitted to the stabbing but claimed self-defense after being told to leave a rival school's tent
- The trial drew national attention and sparked protests outside the courthouse from supporters of both Anthony and Metcalf
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Civil rights advocates and left-leaning outlets emphasized the all-white jury composition and questioned whether the exclusion of Black jurors undermined due process. The Next Generation Action Network called the jury selection process 'deeply disturbing,' and legal observers raised concerns about whether prosecutors used race-neutral pretexts to remove Black jurors, pointing to similar treatment of Black and white prospective jurors.
Right-leaning coverage: Conservative outlets and some commentators framed the case around accountability for the stabbing death and school safety. They noted that Anthony admitted to the stabbing and presented evidence that he had concealed a knife, questioning why self-defense applied when he brought a weapon to a school event. Some coverage emphasized the need for community safety over broader narratives about racial justice.
Limits of this briefing
All sources found were from the last 24 hours after the verdict, so perspectives are limited to immediate reactions. The case remains subject to appeal, which could introduce additional legal developments and perspectives.
Sources
- CBS News Texas: Karmelo Anthony found guilty of murder in fatal stabbing of Frisco student Austin Metcalf Centre
- NBC News: Karmelo Anthony sentenced to 35 years after murder conviction in Texas high school stabbing Centre
- ABC News: Karmelo Anthony sentenced to 35 years for murder in Texas track meet stabbing Centre
- FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth: Karmelo Anthony found guilty, sentenced to 35 years in prison Right
- NewsNation: Karmelo Anthony trial: Why the case has become a debate about race, not just self-defense Centre