Non-Black Jury Finds Karmelo Anthony Found Guilty of Murder in Fatal Stabbing of Frisco Student Austin Metcalf
Karmelo Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison Tuesday after a Collin County jury found him guilty of murder in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a Frisco ISD track meet.
The sentence came just hours after jurors returned the guilty verdict in a case that drew widespread attention across Texas and beyond. Anthony, now 19, broke down in tears after the verdict was read.
During the sentencing phase, Anthony’s mother was the lone witness to speak on his behalf.
“He’s my oldest, he’s my firstborn,” she said. “He will always be my baby. I love him very much.”
When asked whether her son regretted his actions, Anthony’s mother said yes.
The defense had asked jurors to consider a claim of “sudden passion,” which could have affected punishment. Jurors rejected that claim and sentenced Anthony to 35 years in prison.
No Black Jurors Selected
The trial began after a jury was selected in Collin County following hours of questioning from prosecutors and defense attorneys. The final panel included 12 jurors and six alternates. None of the jurors selected were Black.
Defense attorneys accused prosecutors of improperly striking the only three Black candidates who remained in the jury pool. Prosecutors said the strikes were race-neutral because all three candidates worked in education.
District Judge John Roach Jr. sided with prosecutors and allowed the strikes to stand. The jury reportedly included several people of color, but no Black jurors.
Case Drew National Attention
The case drew national attention and sparked intense online debate, much of it centered on race. Anthony is Black, and Metcalf was white.
Both prosecutors and defense attorneys told jurors the case was not about race. “This case has nothing to do with race,” Texas prosecutor Bill Wirskye said during opening statements. “This case is not self-defense. Unjustified provoked murder — that’s why we’re here this morning.”
Anthony’s defense attorney, Mike Howard, argued that his client acted out of fear during a chaotic confrontation.
“After Karmelo defended himself with that knife, he ran. He didn’t stab again. He dropped the knife. He didn’t stab anyone else,” Howard said.
Frisco ISD Responds After Sentencing
After the verdict and sentencing, Frisco Independent School District released a statement acknowledging the grief surrounding the case.
“Our community has carried the weight of this tragedy for more than a year, and our thoughts remain with the impacted families, friends and classmates,” the district said. “We respect the judicial process and will continue to support our students with compassion and care. We know this trial has brought strong emotions and deep grief, and we ask that our community continue to support each other with respect, sensitivity and understanding.”
The sentencing closes a closely watched trial that centered on whether Anthony acted in self-defense or committed murder during a confrontation between students from rival schools. Prosecutors argued Anthony escalated the encounter by pulling a knife and stabbing Metcalf once in the chest. Defense attorneys argued Anthony acted in fear after Metcalf tried to remove him from a team tent.
The case also became a flashpoint on social media, where posts amplified the killing in racial terms. Anthony is Black, and Metcalf was white. During trial, both prosecutors and defense attorneys told jurors the case was not about race.
