The 17-year-old charged in the stabbing death of high school track star Austin Metcalf will face an “uphill battle” if his attorneys present a self-defense claim in court, one expert says. 

Karmelo Anthony, 17, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in Metcalf’s April 2 killing at a track meet in Frisco, Texas. 

“If the evidence is what it is right now, I think he’s going to have an uphill battle claiming self-defense,” Julie Rendelman, a New York attorney who is not involved in the case, told Fox News Digital. “But we may learn much, much more that changes that perspective. And that could be for a jury or a grand jury to decide.”

Rendelman has practiced law for more than 30 years, and is a former homicide prosecutor who served as the senior trial attorney in Kings County, Brooklyn, and eventually became the deputy homicide bureau chief. Now, she runs a private criminal defense practice in New York.

Karmelo Anthony, 17, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. (FOX 4)

“What we’ve seen at the beginning of this press conference, of the father being at this press conference, these are my words – don’t quote anybody – is a disrespect to the dignity of his son,” Alexander said. 

“Next Generation Action Network from the beginning has respected the loss of life, no matter our opinion of it. We have kept our opinion close,” he said. “We have not attacked. We have not shared the information that was shared with us about Austin Metcalf because we respect the dignity of life and loss.”

“That was disrespectful and just shows you all the character,” Alexander said. “He was not invited. He knows that it’s inappropriate to be near this family, but he did it. So, I say to people, actions speak louder than words.”

Jett Metcalf previously told Fox News, “This person made a bad choice and affected both his family and my family forever.”

He said Austin, who died in his twin brother’s arms, “was the light of my life.”

“People ask me, how can you forgive this other person? I said I forgive the other person because the forgiveness is not for him,” he said. “The forgiveness is for me so I can have peace. His life is destroyed. My life is destroyed.”

Austin Metcalf, 17, was stabbed to death at a Texas track meet. (Jeff Metcalf)

The Frisco Police Department (FPD) released a statement two days after the stabbing asking people not to spread “disinformation, hate, fear and division.” 

On Friday, the department declined to comment further. 

Fox News Digital reached out to Anthony’s attorney.