Jury Convicts Karmelo Anthony of Murder in 2025 Frisco Track Meet Stabbing

A Collin County jury on Tuesday returned a murder conviction against 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony for the April 2, 2025 stabbing death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a Frisco Independent School District track meet. The verdict concludes a trial that attracted national attention and raised questions about self-defense, race and school safety.

Prosecutors presented testimony from 21 witnesses, including the county chief medical examiner who described the chest wound as a large, gaping injury that pierced Metcalf's heart and was not survivable. Student witnesses recounted seeing Anthony inside a rival school's team tent before the confrontation and described the bloodied wound after the stabbing. The prosecution argued the act was intentional and not justified as self-defense.

The defense contended that Anthony acted to protect himself, calling witnesses such as a track coach who said athletes often socialized in other schools' tents and noting that Anthony had been nominated for a team-captain role. Additional student witnesses testified they observed a push or punch, though some admitted limited visibility and inconsistencies with video evidence. A Frisco police detective also testified for the defense.

Anthony was arrested shortly after the incident and charged with murder. During closing arguments, the judge allowed jurors to consider a lesser manslaughter charge, but the jury found him guilty of murder. Under Texas law, the conviction carries a possible sentence of five to 99 years or life imprisonment; a manslaughter conviction would have ranged from two to 20 years. The case now proceeds to the sentencing phase.

The trial, which began with jury selection on June 1, was conducted under heightened security due to threats and public controversy surrounding the case.