A Texas jury convicted Karmelo Anthony of first-degree murder and sentenced him to 35 years in prison for fatally stabbing Austin Metcalf at a track meet. The verdict came after nine days of trial in Collin County court.
Anthony, now 19, stabbed 17-year-old Metcalf during an April 2025 event in Frisco, Texas. Video evidence and witness testimony showed Anthony refused multiple requests to leave a team tent before the attack. The jury deliberated for roughly two and a half to three hours before returning the guilty verdict on June 9, 2026. Anthony broke down in tears upon hearing both the conviction and the sentence the following day. Defense attorneys filed a notice of appeal on June 10. Anthony is expected to transfer soon to a Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility. Metcalf’s father, Jeff, told the court the case was never about race. He said Anthony failed to look the family in the eyes during victim impact statements. Supporters of Anthony protested outside the courthouse, and some activists criticized the outcome as racially motivated. No widespread unrest followed the verdict.
