McKINNEY, Texas – Student witnesses in the murder trial of Karmelo Anthony have testified that Anthony was asked to leave a team tent at a high school track meet as many as 15 times and issued a threat to Austin Metcalf before the fatal stabbing. The testimony, delivered during the second day of the trial, challenges Anthony's claim of self-defense in the April 2, 2025, incident that resulted in Metcalf's death.
According to student accounts, the confrontation occurred inside the Memorial High School team tent at David Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas, during a rain delay. Witnesses stated that Anthony, a student from Centennial High School, refused repeated requests to vacate the tent, which belonged to a rival team.
One witness recalled, > "I remember Karmelo refusing to leave and Austin saying you need to leave and Karmelo saying 'touch me and find out'," adding that Anthony had his hands inside a backpack, leading students to believe he was bluffing. Another student testified that Anthony appeared to provoke Metcalf, saying, > "I'm not leaving, f*** you all" before allegedly grabbing a knife from his backpack.
Prosecutors presented the folding 5-inch knife believed to be the murder weapon and played police body-camera video showing officers performing CPR on the 17-year-old Metcalf. The victim's twin brother was also present at the scene, and his anguished cries were heard in the courtroom.
The state's case asserts that Anthony was the aggressor, despite defense arguments that Anthony acted in self-defense. Witnesses consistently stated they did not believe Anthony was acting in self-defense, with one explicitly responding "No, sir" when asked if the incident appeared to be self-defense. The defense has highlighted discrepancies in initial statements given to law enforcement and emphasized the physical difference between Anthony and Metcalf, with Metcalf being significantly heavier.
The trial continues with further testimony as both sides present their arguments regarding the events that led to the tragic death of Austin Metcalf. Anthony, charged with murder, has pleaded not guilty.
