Opening statements began on June 4 in the first-degree murder trial of Karmelo Anthony in the stabbing of Austin Metcalf at a track event at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco Texas (about 30 minutes from Dallas). Both were 17 when the stabbing occurred on April 2, 2025.
Karmelo’s attorneys plan to argue self-defense. If convicted, he faces between 5-99 years in prison. The trial is expected to last two weeks.
A gag order is reportedly still in effect, barring anyone involved in the trial from speaking to the media. Prosecutors dismissed all qualified Black jurors from a pool that started with 589 prospects, according to CBS News. Karmelo is Black and Austin Metcalf, is White.
During jury selections, according to reporting by NBC News, Karmelo’s defense attorney Mike Howard “told the prospective jurors that once a judge agrees the legal threshold of self-defense is met, it is not up to the defense to prove it; it’s up to the state to rule it out.”
Attorney Howard also explained that knives under 5.5 inches can be legally taken into public places, including high school sporting events.
According to the Dallas Morning News, demonstrators gathered on opposite sides of each other outside the Collin County Courthouse on June 1 before trial began. “Supporters chanted in favor of Anthony’s self-defense claim, while others across the street voiced support for Austin Metcalf, highlighting the deep divisions,” the outlet reported.
Unconfirmed reports at that time indicated that Austin Metcalf used racial slurs prior to the incident.
“This is Texas, so race relations are already where we know it to be historically, and right now, we have two very polarizing sides,” stated Nation of Islam Student Minister Rashad Muhammad, of Mosque No. 48 in Dallas. In all honesty, he explained, the reaction to the case reflects the two different realities in America: one White and one Black, and the situation is very volatile and tense.
“The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan teaches us that all lives are precious, no matter who the life belongs to, so I hate to hear that anyone lost their life,” continued Student Minister Rashad Muhammad.
He also cited the history of racism in America as it pertains to Black people.
“We weren’t there to know what exactly transpired or happened and that’s for the court to decide, but we cannot turn a blind eye to the historical relationship between Blacks and Whites,” he said.
Karmelo Anthony, who attended Centennial High School, and Austin Metcalf, who attended Memorial High School, were reportedly involved in a disagreement over a seat at the track meet before the incident.
“I was protecting myself,” Karmelo allegedly told police, according to a Frisco Police arrest report, dated April 2, 2025. “He put his hands on me,” he added, according to police.
Police also reported that a witness who was with Austin Metcalf’s brother stated that Austin and an unknown male argued after Austin told the male to leave a Memorial High School tent. Austin Metcalf allegedly stood up and pushed the male during the dispute. The male then allegedly retrieved a knife from his bag, reportedly stabbed Austin, and fled.
The incident highlighted media bias, double standards and unequal justice in America, activists said.
Though prohibited from attending graduation, Karmelo reportedly maintained his 3.7 GPA and received his diploma from Centennial High School. He completed his coursework under house arrest, after being released from jail on a $250,000 bond on April 14, 2025, according to reports. Bail was originally set for $1 million.
Karmelo’s family held a news conference in April 2025 to refute some of the misinformation, disinformation and lies, circulating online and media. His mother, Kayla Hayes, said their family was under attack, and ultimately had to move from their home to North Texas. She said everyone wanted a full and fair investigation.
“To the family who experienced the loss, my heart truly goes out to you,” said Ms. Hayes, who also thanked those who have supported her family. “I don’t know why we are being targeted and discriminated against before a fair trial. Our son deserves the same rights under the law that everyone is afforded, too.”
At Final Call presstime, it had been reported that the prosecution had rested its case on June 6.