FRISCO, TEXAS — A Collin County jury convicted 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony of murder for the April 2, 2025, stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf and sentenced him to 35 years in prison. The trial took place at the Collin County courthouse.

Jurors deliberated for two-and-a-half hours before reaching the sentence. The prosecution and defense waived opening statements during the sentencing phase of the trial. Prosecutors declined to call witnesses, while defense attorney Mike Howard called Anthony's mother, Kayla Hayes, as a witness.

Anthony faced a statutory sentencing range of five to 99 years or life in prison. Hayes stated, "He's my oldest, he's my firstborn. He will always be my baby." Hayes said, "Yes, he is very sorry for what he did."

Metcalf and Anthony attended different schools and had no prior connection, according to prosecutors. Witness testimony indicated the dispute began when Metcalf and others told Anthony to leave a tent belonging to Metcalf's team. A police report stated Anthony told Metcalf, "Touch me and see what happens." The statement was made before physical contact occurred. Witnesses stated that after Metcalf pushed Anthony, Anthony drew a knife and stabbed Metcalf once in the chest.

The defense requested jurors find the stabbing resulted from sudden passion, which would reduce the conviction to a second-degree felony carrying a possible sentence of two to 20 years. Judge John Roach instructed jurors that they could consider the lesser charge of manslaughter, but the jury declined to convict on that charge.

Prosecutor Bill Wirskye argued that Anthony provoked the physical confrontation. Wirskye stated, "This is not self-defense, folks, it is murder plain and simple." He also said, "You do not get to meet a shove with a stab, especially if you provoke the shove."

Prosecutors also projected an image of coaches praying over Austin Metcalf during their closing arguments. Metcalf's brother lowered his head into his hands in the courtroom gallery during the closing arguments.

Howard asked the jury to consider both sides. He said, "Texas law does not require that you wait until you get hit." He added, "In that split second of chaos, you must put yourself in his shoes."

Anthony did not testify during the trial. Both Anthony and Metcalf were described by their parents as good students with plans to attend college. Anthony is Black and Metcalf was white. Attorneys for both sides instructed jurors that race was not a factor in the incident. Dozens of people stood outside the courthouse awaiting the verdict. A woman expressed audible grief in the courtroom after the verdict was announced.