Karmelo Anthony found guilty of murder for stabbing Austin Metcalf during 2025 track meet; Anthony cried after verdict and people protested outside the courthouse [VIDEO]
The jury deliberated less than three hours before convicting the 19-year-old, who was 17 at the time of the incident
Karmelo Anthony, 19, was found guilty of murder today (June 9, 2026), for the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a Frisco ISD track meet on April 2, 2025. The Collin County jury deliberated less than three hours before delivering the unanimous verdict.
The incident took place at David Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas, during a weather delay. Anthony, then 17 and attending Centennial High School, was seated in a tent reserved for Memorial High School athletes. Witnesses said Metcalf and others repeatedly asked him to leave the area. After a physical shove, Anthony retrieved a knife and stabbed Metcalf once in the chest, piercing his heart. Metcalf died at the scene.
Anthony remained at the scene, acknowledged the stabbing, and claimed self-defense. As the verdict was read in court, he broke down crying and shaking. His parents left in tears. Protests formed outside the Collin County Courthouse in McKinney as supporters of both sides clashed verbally. The case now moves to sentencing, where Anthony faces 5 to 99 years or life in prison.
The Trial Lasted Approximately One Week
Anthony was tried as an adult under Texas law. Jury selection took place earlier this month, followed by a relatively short trial that spanned approximately one week. Reports highlighted the absence of Black jurors on the final seated panel, a detail that drew attention and became a point of discussion in public discourse surrounding the case.
The prosecution argued that the stabbing did not qualify as self-defense. Prosecutors presented evidence showing that Anthony provoked the confrontation by occupying a tent reserved for the opposing team’s athletes. They emphasized that he escalated a non-lethal shove to the shoulder with deadly force by retrieving a knife and stabbing Metcalf once in the chest. The wound was described as fatal and unsurvivable, piercing the heart. Prosecutors also noted that Anthony brought the approximately five-inch knife to a school athletic event, which they characterized as an unnecessary introduction of a weapon into a situation that began as a verbal dispute.
The defense maintained that Anthony, who is smaller in stature and has a history of epilepsy, reasonably feared for his safety. They argued that he was surrounded by chaos and multiple individuals during the weather delay at the track meet, leading to a split-second decision made in perceived imminent harm. Anthony did not testify during the trial. The defense rested its case on June 8, 2026, without calling him to the stand. Closing arguments followed shortly afterward. The jury then began deliberations and returned a unanimous guilty verdict in less than three hours.
Emotions Ran High Inside of the Courtroom
As the guilty verdict was announced in the Collin County courtroom this afternoon, Karmelo Anthony broke down in tears. The 19-year-old cried and shook visibly while standing before the jury. His defense attorney placed an arm around his shoulders in a gesture of comfort as Anthony kept his eyes lowered. Anthony’s parents, who had been present throughout the proceedings, left the courtroom in tears.
The emotional impact extended to the Metcalf family as well. Austin Metcalf’s twin brother, Hunter Metcalf, attended the verdict reading for the first time and was observed leaning forward in his seat. Family members on both sides displayed visible distress, with crying and heightened tension filling the room during the solemn moment.
Immediately after the verdict, Anthony’s bond was revoked. He was remanded into the custody of the Collin County Sheriff’s Office. The court proceedings transitioned without delay into the sentencing phase, with the same jury now tasked with determining his punishment.
Anthony faces a possible sentence of five to 99 years in prison or life. During the sentencing phase, the defense has the option to argue for “sudden passion,” which, if accepted by the jury, could reduce the conviction to a second-degree felony carrying a punishment range of two to 20 years.
Sentencing testimony opened with statements from Anthony’s mother. She described him as her firstborn child and made an emotional request for mercy from the jury. The atmosphere in the courtroom underscored the profound human toll of the case on everyone involved.
Protesting Followed the Verdict
The high-profile trial drew sustained public attention from its outset, resulting in ongoing protests and demonstrations outside the Collin County Courthouse in McKinney, Texas. Supporters of both Karmelo Anthony and Austin Metcalf gathered in separate groups, creating a tense atmosphere throughout the proceedings. Demonstrations featured chanting, impassioned speeches, heated rhetoric between opposing sides, and occasional physical altercations that required intervention.
Law enforcement maintained a strong presence to preserve order. Sheriff’s deputies and other officers used barriers and security measures to separate crowds and manage foot traffic. The monitoring continued even as temperatures climbed above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, adding to the challenging conditions for everyone involved at the courthouse grounds.
Following the announcement of the guilty verdict, the situation outside intensified significantly. A crowd of approximately 100 people reacted with groaning, shouting, and emotional clashes. Some Anthony supporters chanted “Free Karmelo,” expressing their disagreement with the outcome. At least one individual was detained after a reported fight or disturbance. Officials instructed protesters to remain on the sidewalks and avoid blocking streets to maintain safety and traffic flow.
The protests highlighted deep societal divisions surrounding the case. Discussions frequently centered on racial dynamics, the composition of the jury, and differing interpretations of self-defense laws under Texas statutes. The visible demonstrations reflected broader public interest in issues of school safety, youth violence, and the application of stand-your-ground principles in confrontations involving minors.
The Incident Drew National Attention
The case captured intense national attention due to its unique circumstances: a fatal stabbing at a high school track meet during a weather delay, a contested self-defense claim, and the racial dynamics involved — Anthony is Black and Metcalf was white. The events also sparked broader debates about school safety, youth violence, and the application of stand-your-ground and self-defense laws in Texas.
Online fundraising efforts in support of Anthony’s defense reportedly raised more than $600,000. The trial received extensive coverage from Court TV and other national media outlets. Legal analysts observed that the jury’s quick deliberation of less than three hours pointed to a strong case presented by the prosecution.
Prosecutors maintained that Anthony provoked the confrontation by remaining in the wrong tent and escalated a non-lethal shove with deadly force by using a knife. The defense countered that Anthony, who is smaller in stature and has epilepsy, acted out of reasonable fear for his safety in a chaotic environment. Ultimately, the jury sided with the prosecution’s arguments, delivering a guilty verdict.
Polarized Reactions from Both Sides Dominate X Discourse
Social media platforms experienced a surge of activity immediately after the guilty verdict was announced today. The case, which had already trended heavily throughout the trial, sparked widespread discussion across X and other networks as users shared courtroom footage, protest images, and personal takes on the outcome.
Supporters of the verdict celebrated what they viewed as accountability and justice for Austin Metcalf. Many posts emphasized that Metcalf was unarmed and argued that Anthony escalated a verbal dispute and shoulder shove by introducing a knife to the altercation. Comments such as “He brought a knife to a track meet and stabbed an unarmed kid. That’s not self-defense” were common, with some users calling for a maximum sentence and praising the jury’s swift decision.
On the other side, Anthony’s supporters expressed anger, disappointment, and frustration. They questioned the fairness of the trial, highlighted concerns over jury composition, Anthony’s smaller stature, his epilepsy, and the chaotic environment, arguing he feared for his life. Posts included statements like “He was smaller, he has epilepsy, he was surrounded. He feared for his life” and calls such as “HE DID NOT RECEIVE A FAIR TRIAL… FREE KARMELO ANTHONY!!!!” along with links to fundraising pages.
Sentencing and Ongoing Developments
The same jury will now determine Karmelo Anthony’s punishment in the sentencing phase. Anthony faces five to 99 years in prison or life if the conviction stands as first-degree murder. The defense is expected to argue for “sudden passion,” which could reduce the offense to a second-degree felony with a range of two to 20 years. Testimony from family members and other witnesses will continue in the coming days.
The Metcalf family has not issued a public statement following the verdict, while Anthony’s family has remained largely private beyond courtroom testimony. Legal observers anticipate possible appeals regardless of the final sentence.
This case, marked by tragedy on both sides, continues to fuel national conversations about self-defense laws, school safety at athletic events, and the challenges of adjudicating high-profile incidents involving minors. Further updates on sentencing will follow.