As the murder trial of Karmelo Anthony proceeds in Texas, jurors are gaining insights into the tragic stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf.
A pivotal piece of evidence emerged from the testimony of Elizabeth Ventura, the Chief Medical Examiner of Collin County. She revealed that Austin had suffered a severe stab wound to the heart, with the knife inflicting a “gaping” two-inch wound, as reported by Fox 7.
This case has ignited a nationwide discussion about whether Karmelo’s actions constitute lawful self-defense or murder.
Here is a detailed look into the Karmelo Anthony and Austin Metcalf case.
What Happened to Austin Metcalf?
On April 2, 2025, around 10 a.m., officers from the Frisco Police Department were called to a reported stabbing incident at a track meet held at David Kuykendall Stadium, located on the Memorial High School campus in Frisco.
An altercation between then-17-year-old Karmelo, a former student of Centennial High School, and Austin, who attended Memorial, ended when Austin was fatally stabbed, according to authorities.
Witnesses told police that students were huddled under a Memorial High School tent to avoid the rain when Austin told Karmelo to leave the reserved area, according to a probable cause affidavit previously viewed by Oxygen.
In response, Karmelo allegedly told Austin, per the probable cause, “Touch me and see what happens.”
Soon after, a fight began.
“Austin grabbed Anthony to tell him to move, and Anthony pulled out what [witness] recalled as a black knife and stabbed Austin once in the chest and then ran away,” according to witness statements obtained by Oxgygen.com, “Austin began grabbing his chest and telling everyone to get help.”
After he was stabbed, Austin fell down a set of bleachers and then got up, one witness said, per CBS News.
“He lifted up his shirt where his chest was all bloody, and he said I think I got stabbed,” a student testified. “I think he said, ‘Oh my God.’”
When police arrived, Karmelo allegedly claimed he was protecting himself, according to charging documents, and later said, “He put his hands on me.”
Then, when a school officer referred to Karmelo as the “alleged suspect,” Karmelo allegedly responded, “I’m not alleged; I did it,” according to the charging documents, “He put his hands on me. I told him not to.”
Despite life-saving efforts, Austin died from his injuries. His father, Jeff Metcalf, later told Fox News that Austin took his last breaths in the arms of his twin brother, Hunter.
Karmelo was arrested for murder and booked into the Collin County Jail on a $1 million bond. He was released 12 days later on a reduced bond and was placed under house arrest.
He pleaded not guilty, according to court records viewed by Oxygen.
“We know this case has struck a deep nerve—here in Collin County and beyond,” District Attorney Greg Willis said in June 2025. “That’s understandable. When something like this happens at a school event, it shakes people to the core.”
A spokesperson from the Frisco Independent School District did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Oxygen.
The Families of Karmelo Anthony and Austin Metcalf Speak Out
In June 2025, Karmelo’s mother, Kayla Hayes, addressed “lies and false accusations” about her family.
“Our family has been under attack,” Kayla said during a press conference. “My three younger children, my husband and I didn’t do anything to deserve to be threatened, harassed and lied about…my husband had to take a leave of absence because he’s afraid [of] what may happen to our family.”
She added, “Our son deserves the same rights under the law that everyone is afforded to. He’s been raised in a two-parent home with structure, stability, love and we put God first in everything that we do.”
Meanwhile, Austin’s father Jeff Metcalf told Fox News that Karmelo “made a bad choice” and described his son as a leader who “lit up the room.”
Jeff also forgave Karmelo.
“Forgiveness is not for him,” he said, without mentioning Karmelo’s name. “The forgiveness is for me, so I can have peace. His life is destroyed. My life is destroyed.”
Inside the Murder Trial of Karmelo Anthony
The trial began on June 1 with jury selection, and opening statements and witness testimony occurred on June 4. The core of the case centers on whether Karmelo acted in self-defense when he allegedly stabbed Austin.
Karmelo’s defense attorney, Mike Howard, did not immediately return a request for comment from Oxygen. However, according to NBC News, he said in court that his client reacted to “fear and chaos.”
“After Karmelo defended himself with that knife, he ran,” Howard said. “He didn’t stab again. He dropped the knife. He didn’t stab anyone else.”
Meanwhile, the prosecution has argued that Karmelo’s use of force was unjustified.
On June 5, prosecutors showed the jury the 5-inch folding knife allegedly used in the stabbing.
“I remember people confronting Karmelo and saying, ‘You shouldn’t be here, you probably should leave our tent,’” a student testified, according to CBS News. “I also said you should leave.”
Added another, “Austin leans in to push him and Karmelo stabs him.”
The confrontation became increasingly aggressive, according to that student, with others testifying that Karmelo was asked to leave the tent as many as 15 times, per CBS News.
In Texas, 17 year olds are considered adults, according to the Collin County District Attorney’s Office. If Karmelo is convicted, he faces a punishment of anywhere from five to 99 years, or life, in prison.