MCKINNEY, Texas — A Texas jury convicted 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony of murder and sentenced him to 35 years in prison Tuesday for the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco last year.
The incident occurred on April 2, 2025, at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, a Dallas suburb, when teams from Centennial High School and Memorial High School were competing. Anthony, a student at Centennial, stabbed Metcalf once in the chest during a confrontation under a team tent amid rain delays, authorities said.
Anthony, who was 17 at the time of the stabbing, was charged as an adult. He pleaded not guilty, claiming self-defense after Metcalf shoved him following an argument about Anthony being in Memorial’s tent area. Prosecutors argued Anthony provoked the confrontation.
The Collin County jury deliberated for less than three hours before returning the guilty verdict. Jurors also rejected Anthony’s “sudden passion” defense, which could have reduced the sentence range. The murder charge carried a possible sentence of five years to life in prison.
“Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison,” officials confirmed following the verdict and punishment phase, which occurred on the same day.
Witnesses testified that the altercation began when Metcalf and others asked Anthony to leave the rival team’s tent. Anthony reportedly warned others before pulling a knife after being pushed. Metcalf died from the single stab wound to the chest.
The trial drew significant attention, with supporters of both families present outside the Collin County Courthouse in McKinney. The case sparked public debate over self-defense claims. Anthony’s attorneys have indicated plans to appeal the conviction.
Metcalf’s family described the loss as devastating. Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis stated that “justice was served” after the sentencing.
Anthony was transferred to a Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility following the sentencing. He will be eligible for parole after serving half of the 35-year sentence, or about 17.5 years, according to Texas law.
As of Thursday, no further court proceedings had been scheduled in the case. The verdict concluded the high-profile trial that began with jury selection earlier in June 2026.
