The first day of Karmelo Anthony’s murder trial took place today, as prosecutors described the moments leading up to the death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, who was stabbed at a Texas high school track meet last April.
Anthony, now 19, is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the fatal stabbing, which allegedly followed a dispute over seating during a meet at Centennial High School in Frisco, Texas.
He has pleaded not guilty and maintains he acted in self-defence.
The case has attracted widespread attention nationwide, with broader arguments about race and privilege unfolding alongside the courtroom fight, and some of Anthony’s supporters contending he has been treated unfairly because he is Black.
According to the Daily Mail, prosecutor Bill Wirskye told jurors in opening statements that Metcalf lifted his shirt after realizing he had been stabbed and spoke before falling down several rows of bleachers.
“I’ve been stabbed,”
Wirskye said Metcalf’s twin brother, Hunter, ran to him and held him as he lay dying.
Prosecutors also alleged Anthony threw away the folding knife and then tried to leave the stadium, merging into the crowd as students cleared the area.
“If you’re scared and running away in self-defence, why toss the knife?”
Wirskye continued by urging jurors to reject the self-defence claim.
“That knife wasn’t used to protect him from harm. That knife was used to harm another. Find this man guilty of first-degree murder.”
The trial is expected to run for about two weeks. It began after an extensive jury-selection process in which around 600 potential jurors were questioned starting Monday.
A panel of men and women was seated along with six alternates, though some prospective jurors were excused after saying they could not separate race from their decision-making on guilt or innocence.
“I don’t know that I could put a brother in jail.”
At least 35 witnesses are expected to testify, including student athletes, coaches, and Hunter Metcalf, who was present at the scene and is anticipated to take the stand.
Anthony’s legal team is expected to focus heavily on self-defence, while prosecutors have portrayed the alleged disposal of the knife and attempt to leave the area as actions inconsistent with that claim.
An arrest report stated that Anthony was sitting under Austin’s school pop-up tent to avoid the rain when he was told to move. A police officer also reported that the suspect claimed he produced the knife in self-defense.
“I’m not alleged, I did it.”
The report stated per NBC Dallas Fort Worth:
“Austin grabbed Anthony to tell him to move and Anthony pulled out … a black knife and stabbed Austin once in the chest.”
Anthony’s family has reportedly raised more than $1,300,000 through a GiveSendGo campaign to fund his legal defense.
In an interview with the New York Post, Anthony’s father Andrew said:
“He was not the aggressor. He was not the one who started it.”
Hunter Metcalf has said he was with Austin at the time and held him as he died.
“He was a good kid… He has a good heart, everyone around you knows he’s a great kid. Just one mistake from that dude and [he] just took my brother,” Hunter said in an interview with WFAA.
“He didn’t deserve it. No one deserves a loss from a family like that.”