A Texas jury has found Karmelo Anthony guilty of murder in the fatal stabbing of Frisco teenager Austin Metcalf and sentenced him to 35 years in prison after rejecting claims of self-defense and a request for reduced punishment under Texas’ “sudden passion” law.
The verdict was reached in less than three hours of deliberation at the Collin County Courthouse, bringing a high-profile case to a close more than a year after the deadly incident occurred during a high school track meet.
Jury Rejects Self-Defense Argument
Anthony, now 19, had pleaded not guilty to murder. His defense team argued that he believed he was protecting himself during a confrontation with Metcalf at a Frisco Independent School District track event on April 2, 2025.
Defense attorney Mike Howard told jurors that Anthony felt threatened and cornered during the encounter inside a Memorial High School team tent. Howard pointed to testimony suggesting Anthony repeatedly warned others not to touch him and argued that the stabbing occurred during a chaotic and fast-moving situation.
Howard maintained that Anthony genuinely believed he was acting in self-defense and highlighted testimony indicating that Anthony appeared emotional after the incident and expressed concern about Metcalf’s condition.
Prosecutors Describe the Stabbing as Unjustified
Prosecutors presented a sharply different version of events.
Lead prosecutor Bill Wirskye argued that Anthony brought a concealed knife to the track meet and escalated a confrontation that never justified deadly force.
According to the prosecution, Anthony entered a tent designated for another school’s athletes and remained there despite being asked to leave. Wirskye argued that Anthony provoked the confrontation and responded to physical contact with excessive force.
“You don’t get to meet a shove with a stab,” prosecutors told jurors during closing arguments.
The state characterized the stabbing as an unjustified killing and urged jurors to focus on accountability rather than emotion.
Judge Defines the Jury’s Options
Before deliberations began, Judge John Roach ruled on several key legal issues.
Jurors were instructed that they could find Anthony guilty of murder, guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. They were also told to consider Anthony’s self-defense claim and whether he had forfeited that defense by provoking the confrontation.
The judge declined to include criminally negligent homicide as a possible verdict but allowed manslaughter to remain as a lesser-included offense.
Guilty Verdict Returned in Less Than Three Hours
After deliberations began shortly before 11 a.m., jurors returned to the courtroom just before 2:30 p.m.
The jury found Anthony guilty of murder.
Observers reported that Anthony showed little visible reaction as the verdict was announced. His mother became emotional in the courtroom, while members of Austin Metcalf’s family listened quietly as the decision was read.
The case then moved immediately into the sentencing phase.
Emotional Testimony During Sentencing
Anthony’s mother, Kala Hayes, testified on behalf of her son during sentencing.
She described him as a loving son and told jurors that he deeply regretted what had happened. Fighting back tears, she asked the jury to show mercy.
The defense also sought a reduced punishment under Texas law by arguing that the offense occurred under “sudden passion,” which would have lowered the potential sentencing range.
Prosecutors opposed the request, arguing that the evidence showed Anthony was the person who initiated and escalated the conflict.
Austin Metcalf’s Twin Brother Addresses the Court
One of the most emotional moments of the proceedings came when Austin Metcalf’s twin brother, Hunter, delivered a victim impact statement.
Hunter described the devastating impact of losing his brother and best friend. He spoke about the future experiences Austin would never have and the pain their family continues to endure.
He also addressed Anthony directly, telling him that his actions had permanently changed countless lives.
Family members in the courtroom became visibly emotional as Hunter spoke.
Jury Rejects Reduced Punishment Request
After additional deliberations during the sentencing phase, jurors returned later that evening with their final decision.
They rejected the defense’s sudden-passion claim, concluding that Austin Metcalf’s death did not occur under circumstances that would justify reduced punishment under Texas law.
The jury then sentenced Anthony to 35 years in state prison.
Under Texas law, he must serve at least half of that sentence before becoming eligible for parole consideration.
Courtroom observers reported that Anthony appeared emotional after learning his sentence and later apologized to his parents before being taken into custody.
The Incident That Led to the Trial
The case stemmed from a fatal confrontation during a district track meet at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco.
According to witness statements and police reports, Austin Metcalf approached Anthony inside a tent designated for Memorial High School athletes and told him to leave.
Witnesses reported that Anthony responded by warning others not to touch him while referencing an item in his bag.
Moments later, a confrontation occurred. Prosecutors said Anthony pulled a knife from his bag and stabbed Metcalf once in the chest.
Coaches, trainers, and emergency responders immediately attempted lifesaving measures before Metcalf was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died.
Investigators reported that the entire encounter lasted less than 30 seconds.
Statements Made After the Arrest
Police arrested Anthony shortly after the incident.
According to official reports, Anthony made several spontaneous statements while being taken into custody, including claims that he had acted in self-defense.
Officers also reported that Anthony appeared emotional and repeatedly asked whether Metcalf would survive.
Those statements became a significant part of the evidence discussed during the trial.
A Case That Drew Widespread Attention
The trial attracted considerable public interest because it involved two teenagers, conflicting accounts of the confrontation, and a central dispute over self-defense.
After hearing weeks of testimony, reviewing witness statements, and considering both sides’ arguments, jurors ultimately concluded that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
With the guilty verdict, rejection of the sudden-passion claim, and 35-year sentence, the legal proceedings have now reached their conclusion, bringing one of Texas’ most closely watched criminal cases to an end.