Karmelo Anthony sentenced to 35 years for Austin Metcalf murder, appeal grounds discussed
Karmelo Anthony, convicted of first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a Texas track meet, receives a 35-year prison sentence. Jeff Metcalf delivers a powerful victim impact statement. Former U.S. Attorney Cully Stimson discusses grounds for an appeal, including a ‘Batson claim’ regarding jury selection, as protests over alleged racial bias continue outside the McKinney courthouse.
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More than a year after Austin Metcalf was stabbed to death at a Texas high school track meet, a jury convicted Karmelo Anthony of murder and sentenced him to 35 years behind bars.
The case, which began with a confrontation between two teenagers under a team tent, quickly grew into a national flashpoint that drew intense public scrutiny and competing claims of self-defense.
As Anthony begins serving his sentence and prepares an appeal, here’s a look back at the moments that defined the case.
LISTEN: AUSTIN METCALF FAMILY FACING THREATS, FINANCIAL STRAIN AS KARMELO ANTHONY FUNDRAISING DRAWS SCRUTINY
Karmelo Anthony is pictured after being transferred to the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and transported to the Pack Unit near Navasota, Texas. (Texas Department of Criminal Justice)
April 2, 2025: Metcalf stabbed to death at Frisco track meet
Metcalf, 17, was participating in a track championship event at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco when he was fatally stabbed during a confrontation beneath a Memorial High School team tent.
LISTEN: Austin Metcalf family facing threats, financial strain as Karmelo Anthony fundraising draws scrutiny
Anthony, then 17, was taken into custody at the scene and charged with murder. His bail was set at $1 million.
The killing immediately shocked the North Texas community and drew national attention. Metcalf died in the arms of his twin brother, Hunter.
LISTEN: Austin Metcalf’s father wants stabbing video released
April 3, 2025: Metcalf’s family speaks out
Appearing on ‘ “America Reports,” Jeff Metcalf mourned the loss of his son and described the bond Austin shared with his twin brother.
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“My son is gone, and he’ll never come home again,” he said. “Austin was the light of my life.”
“They were so tight. They had the best bond. They were best friends.”
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During an appearance on ‘ “The Will Cain Show,” Hunter Metcalf described the moments after his twin brother was stabbed.
Hunter recalled rushing to Austin’s side and trying to stop the bleeding.
LISTEN: Austin Metcalf’s father speaks out on death threats, backlash after trial
“I put my hand on there, tried to make it stop, and I grabbed his head and I looked in his eyes,” Hunter said.
“I just saw his soul leave, and it took my soul, too.”
TEXAS TRACK MEET STABBING SUSPECT TOLD RESPONDING OFFICER HE ‘DID IT’: DOCS
April 4, 2025: Arrest report reveals Anthony’s statements
Digital obtained Anthony’s arrest report, which detailed the moments after the stabbing.
According to the report, Anthony told a responding officer, “I was protecting myself” before being questioned and claimed Metcalf had “put his hands on” him.
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Accused killer Karmelo Anthony walks out of jail after posting bond. (KDFW)
When an officer referred to him as the alleged suspect, according to the report, Anthony replied: “I’m not alleged. I did it.”
The report also stated Anthony asked officers whether Metcalf would be OK and whether the stabbing could be considered self-defense.
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April 2025: Fundraiser and bond fight fuel controversy
A GiveSendGo fundraiser established by Anthony’s family quickly became a source of national debate, eventually growing to more than $633,000.
At the same time, Anthony’s attorneys sought a reduction of his $1 million bail, arguing it was excessive.
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The fundraiser for convicted murder Karmelo Anthony and his family has been taken down from the GiveSendGo crowdfunding website. (GiveSendGo)
The fundraising campaign and bond fight became early flashpoints in a case that was increasingly being debated far beyond Texas.
April 14, 2025: Anthony released from jail
A Collin County judge reduced Anthony’s bail from $1 million to $250,000.
Anthony was released from jail and placed on house arrest with an ankle monitor while awaiting trial.
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Defense attorney Mike Howard urged the public not to rush to judgment and argued there were “two sides to every story.”
April 17, 2025: Public tensions escalate
As national attention intensified, public tensions surrounding the case spilled into press conferences, social media and public events.
A news conference organized by Dominique Alexander and the Next Generation Action Network drew national attention after Jeff Metcalf appeared at the event and was later escorted out by police.
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People outside Collin County Courthouse react as a verdict is announced in the Karmelo Anthony murder trial in McKinney, Texas, on June 9, 2026. Anthony faces a potential life sentence for the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Metcalf at a track meet in Frisco, Texas, in April 2025. (AJ Skuy for Digital)
Days later, representatives for Anthony’s family said they had relocated after reporting harassment, unwanted deliveries and safety concerns at their home.
The controversy continued when personal information belonging to Judge Angela Tucker, who reduced Anthony’s bail, circulated online.
May 14, 2025: Graduation decision sparks debate
Frisco ISD announced Anthony would receive his diploma but would not be allowed to attend graduation ceremonies.
The decision generated another round of public debate as the criminal case continued to unfold.
June 24, 2025: Grand jury indicts Anthony
A Collin County grand jury indicted Anthony on a first-degree murder charge in Metcalf’s death.
District Attorney Greg Willis announced the indictment after presenting evidence to the grand jury.
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Jeff Metcalf told Digital he was pleased the case was moving forward but acknowledged that “it will never bring my son back.”
AMERICA STILL CAN’T PUT DOWN THE RACE CARD. AND IT’S THE SHAME OF OUR NATION
Austin Metcalf, 17, was stabbed to death at a Texas track meet. (Jeff Metcalf)
July 10, 2025: Trial date set
A judge scheduled Anthony’s murder trial for June 1, 2026.
July 28, 2025: Gag order issued
Judge John Roach issued a gag order restricting public comments from attorneys, witnesses, law enforcement officials and others connected to the case, citing concerns that extensive publicity could affect Anthony’s right to a fair trial.
June 1, 2026: Trial begins in Collin County
Jury selection began June 1, 2026, as supporters of both Anthony and Metcalf gathered outside the courthouse.
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A New Black Panther Party member stands outside Collin County Courthouse in McKinney, Texas, where Karmelo Anthony is on trial for first-degree murder on June 8, 2026. Anthony faces charges in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a track meet in Frisco, Texas, in April 2025. (AJ Skuy for Digital)
Members of the New Black Panther Party and other activists appeared outside during the proceedings as one of Texas’ most closely watched murder trials got underway.
June 5, 2026: Witnesses recount confrontation under the tent
Jurors heard testimony from students who witnessed the confrontation beneath the Memorial High School team tent.
One witness testified Anthony was asked to leave roughly 15 times before the encounter escalated.
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Karmelo Anthony stands in a courtroom during his trial in Collin County, Texas, on June 9, 2026, shortly before jurors were sent to deliberate. (Pat Lopez/Unknown)
Another recalled hearing Metcalf say, “I’m not going to fight you at a track meet.”
Witnesses also described Anthony becoming increasingly confrontational before the stabbing.
June 9, 2026: Self-defense claim takes center stage
Anthony admitted stabbing Metcalf but maintained he acted in self-defense.
Defense attorney Mark Howard argued Anthony feared for his safety after being confronted by a larger student.
Prosecutors countered that Anthony escalated a verbal dispute into a deadly encounter.
“You don’t get to meet a shove with a stab,” prosecutor Bill Wirskye told jurors. “That equals murder plain and simple. Unjustified murder.”
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June 9, 2026: Jury convicts Anthony of murder
After roughly three hours of deliberations, jurors found Anthony guilty of murder.
Anthony broke down in tears as the verdict was read and was immediately taken into custody.
The verdict represented a decisive rejection of Anthony’s self-defense claim.
June 9, 2026: Metcalf family delivers emotional statements
During victim impact statements, Metcalf’s family addressed Anthony directly.
“We were robbed,” Jeff Metcalf said.
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“This was never about race or politics. We all bleed the same color.”
Hunter Metcalf also addressed Anthony directly, telling him, “I want you to realize how much pain you caused me and my family.”
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“You let the devil take over you in the moment,” he added.
Metcalf’s mother, Meghan Metcalf, delivered one of the most memorable statements of the hearing.
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“You may have been sentenced to 35 years behind bars. You should feel lucky,” she said. “I’ve been sentenced to a lifetime without my son.”
June 9, 2026: Anthony sentenced
Jurors sentenced Anthony to 35 years in prison after rejecting a finding that he acted in “sudden passion,” which could have reduced his punishment.
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Anthony was immediately taken into custody and later transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Pack Unit near Navasota to begin serving his sentence.
He will be eligible for parole after serving half of his 35-year term.
June 10, 2026: Anthony begins appeal
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Anthony filed a notice of appeal, officially launching the next phase of a case that has remained in the national spotlight since April 2025. His attorneys are expected to ask a higher court to review both the conviction and his 35-year prison sentence.
‘ Peter D’Abrosca, Brooke Taylor, Peter Cuddihy, Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Julia Bonavita, Kelsie Cairns and Lindsey Reese contributed to this report.
