Frisco Trial Opens: 19-Year-Old Accused of Fatally Stabbing 17-Year-Old at High School Track Meet

Testimony is underway in the murder trial of 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony, who is accused of fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a Frisco Independent School District track meet at Kuykendall Stadium on 2 April 2025. The case has drawn national attention amid debate over race and school safety.

Prosecution and Defense Opening Statements

Prosecutors told jurors Anthony “buried it into the heart of another young man, causing his death — and then ran away,” arguing the stabbing was intentional. Collin County First Assistant District Attorney Bill Wirskye emphasized that the prosecution’s case is focused on the actions that led to Metcalf’s death and insisted the matter "has nothing to do with race." Anthony has pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge.

Defense attorney Mike Howard countered by focusing on what he described as the tense moments immediately before the stabbing. Howard highlighted the physical disparity between the two teens — saying Anthony is about 5 ft. 8 in. and roughly 130 lbs., while Austin and his twin, Hunter Metcalf, were each about 6 ft. 1 in. and 215 lbs. — and argued Anthony made a split-second decision in fear after a physical confrontation.

Evidence Presented to the Jury

Jurors were shown both unaltered and enhanced surveillance footage from the stadium. The video captures students gathered under a team tent bearing the Memorial High School logo, apparent pushing near the back of the tent shortly before the stabbing, students running from the tent, and officers detaining Anthony near the stadium.

Police testified that they recovered a blood-stained, 5-inch folding knife roughly three to four rows above the crime scene. Photos of the knife were shown to jurors.

Eyewitness and Officer Testimony

Several witnesses described the confrontation and immediate aftermath. Memorial High track coach Robert Starr testified that he found Metcalf on the ground shortly after the incident and recalled, "I come over there ... and my memory is kind of shaky, but what I do see is Austin on the ground and his face is purple. And he has a hole in his chest." Starr said he was told that Anthony "did it."

Heritage High School head football coach Vincent Hooper testified that he spoke with Anthony soon after the stabbing. According to Hooper, Anthony said: "He put his hands on me," and also said, "I stabbed him." Hooper added that Anthony may not have realized where he had struck Metcalf.

School police officer Eduardo Cortez testified he was among the first Frisco officials to encounter Anthony. Cortez said he ordered the suspect to raise his hands, detained him in handcuffs and that Anthony replied, "I'm not alleged, I did it." Cortez also observed "a little blood on his left middle finger," he testified.

Another officer, Jacob Shalz, described recovering the folding knife that prosecutors say was used in the stabbing.

Student Witness Account

A Memorial High track athlete who witnessed the confrontation testified that several athletes repeatedly asked Anthony to leave the team tent and that Anthony refused. According to the student, Metcalf told Anthony, "You need to leave," and Anthony replied, "Touch me and find out." The witness described Metcalf leaning in and pushing Anthony; Anthony, seated with a backpack on his lap and his hands inside it, then pulled a knife from the bag, pushed Metcalf and stabbed him in the chest.

"Austin leans in to push him, and Karmelo stabs him," the witness said. "Karmelo had his hands inside a backpack, and we thought it was a bluff."

Possible Penalties and Trial Timeline

If convicted of first-degree murder in Texas, Anthony faces a sentence ranging from five years to life in state prison. Jury selection began on Monday; the jury seated includes no Black members. The trial is expected to last about two weeks.

The proceedings continue as witnesses and video footage are examined to determine how the confrontation unfolded and whether Anthony acted in self-defense or with criminal intent.