Austin Metcalf’s relatives said they felt “robbed” after Karmelo Anthony was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison over the fatal stabbing at a Texas high school track meet.
Anthony, now 19, was 17 when the incident happened. Through his attorneys, he had argued that he stabbed Austin, also 17, in ‘self-defense’ during a confrontation in April 2025.
The case centered on the April 2, 2025 death of Austin, a Frisco Memorial High School student and track athlete, during a meet at David Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Anthony, who attended Centennial High School, did not testify during the trial.
Following a nearly weeklong trial in Collin County, jurors weighed murder and manslaughter counts before finding Anthony guilty of murder on Tuesday (June 9). They later sentenced him to 35 years in state prison after rejecting arguments that the killing was manslaughter or that Anthony had acted under sudden passion.
Investigators said the fatal stabbing happened after Anthony was asked to leave a tent where he had been sitting during the rainy track meet.
“Touch me and see what happens,” Anthony allegedly told the fellow teenager, according to documents.
Prosecutors alleged that after Austin tried to move him physically, Anthony took a knife from his bag and stabbed him once in the chest. The medical examiner testified during the trial that the wound pierced Austin’s heart.
Collin County District Attorney Bill Wirskye told jurors during closing arguments that Anthony provoked the confrontation and brought a hidden knife to the meet. Defense attorney Mike Howard argued that Austin had no legal right to put his hands on Anthony and said the stabbing happened in a “split second” of fear and chaos.
Jurors deliberated for less than three hours before returning the murder verdict. Anthony’s mother was the only witness called during the punishment phase, asking the jury to show mercy to her son.
When Anthony was handed a 35-year prison term, Austin’s father, Jeff Metcalf, addressed him in court.
“We were robbed. The public response sickens me, especially when a gag order doesn’t allow me to defend my son.”
Metcalf continued addressing Anthony directly.
“This was never about race or politics, but what you did was to choose to make it about both. We all bleed the same color. You are free to make choices all of your life, but are not free to not face consequences. They weren’t bullies and they weren’t racists.
“You failed your parents you failed yourself and you failed society. You don’t belong.
“I forgive you, but I do not forgive what you did. You can’t even look me in the eye, but you can stab my son in the f****** heart.”
Anthony did not answer back while the remarks were being made.
Jeff also said the family had endured public attacks and hoax emergency calls since Austin’s death. The case drew national attention after social media posts amplified it in racial terms; Anthony is Black and Austin was white, but lawyers on both sides told jurors that race was not the reason for the killing.
Austin’s mother, Megan Metcalf, also gave a victim impact statement, describing the final morning she saw her son before the track meet.
“You may have been given a sentence of 35 years. You should feel lucky. I’ve been sentenced to a lifetime without my son,” she told Anthony.
Austin’s twin brother, Hunter Metcalf, also addressed the court with a victim impact statement.
According to FOX 4, Hunter asked Anthony to face him as he spoke.
“I just want some respect if you could look me in the eye,”
Anthony eventually looked up at him.
“I want you to realize how much pain you caused me and my family. You let the devil take over you in the moment.
“Now I want everything taken from you. You took everything from me. I wake up every morning and his door is still shut.”
After the sentencing, Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said the verdict had delivered accountability and sent a message that violence “won’t be tolerated” in the community.
Anthony must serve at least half of the 35-year sentence before he can be considered for parole, meaning he will not be eligible until he has served about 17 and a half years. Parole eligibility does not guarantee release.
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