A Collin County jury has found Karmelo Anthony guilty of murder for fatally stabbing Austin Metcalf last year during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas.
The verdict marks a decisive turn in a case that has drawn intense public scrutiny over self‑defense, youth violence, and racial tension. Jurors will now return to determine Anthony’s punishment, a phase that could significantly alter his prison exposure depending on whether they find the killing was committed in “sudden passion.”
Testimony and police records show the confrontation unfolded in minutes under a crowded stadium tent, ending with a single stab wound to Metcalf’s chest and Anthony immediately surrendering to officers, telling them, “I was protecting myself.”
Karmelo Anthony Found Guilty
Anthony, now 19, was convicted of murder on Tuesday after jurors deliberated for less than three hours. The unanimous verdict followed a week of conflicting testimony about whether the stabbing was a “provoked unjustified murder,” as prosecutors argued, or a split‑second act of self‑defense, as the defense maintained.
The jury had been sequestered after closing arguments on June 9, an uncommon step in Collin County that underscored the case’s visibility and the volume of public attention surrounding it.
Length of Karmelo Anthony’s Sentence to Be Determined
The sentencing phase in the Anthony murder trial resumed Tuesday afternoon as jurors returned to the courtroom to determine how much prison time the 19‑year‑old will face. Anthony was convicted of murder earlier in the day, a charge that carries a punishment of five to 99 years in Texas.
Unlike the guilt‑innocence phase, sentencing functions almost like a second trial, with the same judge, jury and attorneys but additional focus on the defendant’s background, character and the circumstances surrounding the stabbing. Both sides have the option to deliver opening and closing statements, though prosecutors and defense attorneys waived openings.
Jurors will also be asked to consider whether the killing occurred under the immediate influence of “sudden passion,” a legal finding that could reduce the offense to a second‑degree felony and lower the sentencing range to two to 20 years. Prosecutor Dewey Mitchell previously described sudden passion as a state of overwhelming emotion triggered by events that leave a person “without time to cool off.”
The prosecution has now rested its sentencing case. The defense began its presentation by calling Kayla Hayes, Anthony’s mother, as its first witness, signaling a shift toward testimony aimed at humanizing the teenager and contextualizing his actions before jurors decide his fate.
Karmelo Anthony: Who Are His Parents?
The most powerful voice in the courtroom during sentencing belonged to Kala Hayes, Anthony’s mother. Hayes has been the emotional center of the family throughout the case, but her testimony Tuesday marked the first time jurors heard directly from her. She broke down almost immediately, describing her son as “my oldest” and adding, “He’ll always be my baby. I love him very much.” Anthony appeared to cry as she spoke.
Defense attorney Mike Howard asked whether she believed her son regretted the stabbing. Hayes answered without hesitation: “Yes, I know my son, and he’s very sorry for what he did.” When invited to address the jury directly, she delivered the plea that defined the moment: “Please have mercy on my son.” She acknowledged she expects to remain a constant in his life, telling jurors, “Yes, I do,” when asked whether she understood she would still be part of his future.
While Hayes has become the emotional anchor of the trial, Anthony’s father, Andrew (Drew) Anthony, has served as the family’s public advocate. He has spoken at news conferences, defended his son’s character and pushed back against misinformation surrounding the case. In court, he testified that community‑raised funds were used strictly for legal defense and emergency relocation—not for bond—after the family faced threats and harassment.
Drew Anthony has also emphasized his son’s academic and athletic record, noting that Karmelo was an honor student and team captain before the stabbing. Tensions escalated during an April 2025 news conference when Jeff Metcalf, the victim’s father, arrived unexpectedly and was escorted out by police.
Karmelo Anthony: Full Timeline of Events
Anthony and Metcalf did not know each other before April 2, 2025, when thunderstorms delayed a district track meet at David Kuykendall Stadium. Witnesses testified that Anthony, a Centennial High School athlete, took shelter under Memorial High School’s tent, prompting repeated demands that he leave.
Accounts differ on what happened next. Some students said Anthony warned others not to touch him and kept a hand in his backpack. Others testified that Metcalf and his brother confronted him first. Surveillance footage, though grainy, showed Metcalf pushing Anthony moments before the stabbing.
Anthony fled only briefly before surrendering to the police. Officers testified he was “crying hysterically” and repeatedly asked whether Metcalf would survive and whether the incident could be considered self‑defense.
He was charged with murder the same day and indicted in June 2025. His trial began on June 1, 2026, with nearly 600 prospective jurors summoned.
Does Karmelo Anthony Have a Public Defender?
Anthony is represented by private counsel. His family raised more than $500,000 through a GiveSendGo campaign to cover legal fees. His attorney, Michael Howard, argued throughout the trial that Anthony acted out of fear as multiple students confronted him, emphasizing the size difference between the teens and the chaotic conditions under the tent.
Who Was Austin Metcalf?
Austin Metcalf, born July 31, 2007, was a junior at Memorial High School. He played linebacker on the football team—earning MVP honors—and competed in track and field. He had a twin brother, Hunter, who was present during the confrontation and testified about the moments leading up to the stabbing.
Metcalf died shortly after first responders arrived. A medical examiner later testified that Metcalf suffered a single stab wound that pierced his heart and was “not survivable.”
When Was the Stabbing?
The stabbing occurred around 10 a.m. CDT April 2, 2025, during a district track meet delayed by inclement weather. Witnesses described a tense, crowded environment as athletes from multiple schools sought shelter from heavy rain.
The confrontation lasted roughly two minutes, according to student testimony, before Anthony pulled a knife from his backpack and stabbed Metcalf once in the chest.
Update 06/09/26, 5:10 p.m.: This article has been updated with further information.