A Texas jury has convicted a teenager of murder and sentenced him to 35 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of a fellow student during a high school track and field event in Frisco, a case that drew widespread national attention and prompted debate over self-defence claims and school safety.
Karmelo Anthony, now 19, was found guilty on Tuesday in connection with the death of Austin Metcalf, who was 17 when he was killed during a school athletics meet on 2 April 2025. Anthony was also 17 at the time of the incident but was prosecuted as an adult under Texas law.
Jurors returned their verdict after less than three hours of deliberation. The court also permitted the jury to consider the lesser charge of manslaughter, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, but jurors instead convicted Anthony of murder.
The confrontation occurred during a rainy track meet involving students from different high schools in the Dallas-area city of Frisco. Police investigators said the fatal encounter began after a dispute involving a team tent used by Metcalf’s school.
During the trial, multiple student witnesses described an escalating exchange between the two teenagers. Prosecutors argued that Anthony threatened Metcalf before deliberately stabbing him, portraying Anthony as the aggressor in the confrontation.
Defence attorneys maintained that Anthony acted in self-defence. Their case included testimony from students as well as track coach Adam Linwood, who told jurors Anthony had been nominated to serve as a team captain. The defence also highlighted Anthony’s academic record, noting he maintained a 4.0 grade point average.
Anthony did not testify during the proceedings. During the sentencing phase, his mother addressed the court, expressing that her son was remorseful and asking the jury to show leniency.
Medical evidence formed a significant part of the prosecution’s case. Collin County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Elizabeth Ventura testified that the stab wound penetrated Metcalf’s heart, resulting in his death. Prosecutors also called nearly two dozen witnesses, relying heavily on eyewitness accounts presented throughout the trial.
Court proceedings established that Anthony and Metcalf attended different schools and had no known prior relationship before the incident.
Because Anthony was under 18 when the offence occurred, prosecutors did not seek the death penalty, which is prohibited in such cases under U.S. law.
The case generated extensive discussion on social media, with some commentators framing the incident through the lens of race, as Anthony is Black and Metcalf was white. Lawyers representing both sides told jurors that race was not a factor in the killing.
Following the verdict, the civil rights organization Next Generation Action Network, which publicly supported Anthony during the case, noted that none of the jurors were Black.
The Frisco Independent School District issued a statement acknowledging the impact the case has had on the community, saying its thoughts remain with the families, classmates and friends affected by the tragedy. The district said it respected the judicial process and would continue providing support to students while encouraging the community to respond with compassion, respect and understanding.
The conviction brings the criminal trial to a close, though Anthony will now begin serving his prison sentence following the judgment.
