Texas murder trial under way with 19-year-old accused of stabbing fellow high schooler

Opening statements have been delivered in the murder trial of Karmelo Anthony, a 19-year-old accused of fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a Texas high school track meet over a year ago. The case has garnered significant attention, amplified by the racial difference between the defendant, who is Black, and the victim, who was white.

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The case has nothing to do with race. He took a knife and buried it into the heart of another young man, causing his death – and then ran away.

Prosecutors contend that Anthony deliberately stabbed Metcalf during the Frisco Independent School District track meet at Kuykendall Stadium on April 2, 2025, leading to Metcalf's death en route to the hospital. Anthony has pleaded not guilty to the first-degree murder charge. Collin County First Assistant District Attorney Bill Wirskye told the jury that the incident "has nothing to do with race," asserting that Anthony "buried" a knife in Metcalf's heart before fleeing.

The defense, however, has focused on the events preceding the stabbing. Attorney Mike Howard highlighted the physical disparity between Anthony, who is 5ft 8in and 130lbs, and Metcalf, who was approximately 6ft 1in and 215lbs, along with his twin brother Hunter. Howard argued that Metcalf initiated a physical confrontation, forcing Anthony into a "split-second" decision driven by fear.

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Made a split-second decision out of fear.

Surveillance footage from the stadium was presented to the jury, showing students gathered near a tent. Pushing was observed shortly before the stabbing. The recordings also captured students fleeing the tent, Anthony leaving the area, and his subsequent detention by police. Witnesses described the aftermath, with Metcalf's track coach testifying to finding him on the ground with a "hole in his chest."

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I come over there … and what I do see is Austin on the ground and his face is purple. And he has a hole in his chest.

Testimony from a high school football coach indicated that Anthony admitted to the stabbing, stating, "He put his hands on me. I stabbed him." Another witness, a school police officer, testified that Anthony responded to being detained by saying, "I'm not alleged, I did it," and that a small amount of blood was found on his finger. A police officer also testified about recovering the alleged murder weapon.

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He said: ‘He put his hands on me.’ ‘I stabbed him.’