A Texas teenager has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for fatally stabbing a fellow student at a high school track meet in the Dallas area. A jury found Karmelo Anthony, now 19, guilty of murder on Tuesday, June 9, for the death of Austin Metcalf during the 2025 event in Frisco, Texas. Both were 17 at the time of the incident.
Details of the Incident
Prosecutors alleged that Anthony, a student at Centennial High School, entered a tent designated for Memorial High School and initiated a confrontation with Metcalf, who attended Memorial. Anthony's defense attorneys argued that Metcalf and his twin brother started the physical altercation, and Anthony acted in self-defense.
Defense and Prosecution Arguments
In his closing statement, Anthony's attorney Mike Howard told the jury, "There is no evidence Karmelo did anything but really think he was defending himself in that split second of chaos." However, prosecutor Bill Wirskep countered, "You don't get to meet a shove with a stab, especially if you provoke the shove."
Trial and Sentencing
Judge John Roach imposed strict rules during the trial, including a gag order that prevented parties from discussing the case publicly and a ban on cameras and electronic devices in the courtroom. The case garnered national attention and heightened racial tensions, as Anthony is Black and Metcalf was white. Prosecutors maintained that race was not a factor in the confrontation.
Concerns Over Jury Selection
Critics raised concerns that all Black potential jurors were excluded from the trial, sparking further debate about racial bias in the legal system.
