BREAKING: Karmelo Anthony guilty of murder for stabbing Austin Metcalf, sentenced to 35 years, plans appeal

The 17-year-old who stabbed another student during an altercation at a Texas track meet will appeal his conviction, Fox News reported Wednesday.

A Collin County jury convicted Karmelo Anthony, now 19, of Frisco, Texas, Tuesday of fatally stabbing Austin Metcalf, 17, in the chest in April 2025. Metcalf had asked Anthony, who attended another high school, to leave his high school’s tent during a rainstorm.

“Touch me and see what happens,” Anthony told Metcalf before grabbing a knife from his backpack.

The jury deliberated just two hours, agreeing with prosecutors that “You don’t bring a knife to a fist fight.” Anthony’s lawyers had argued he acted in self-defense. The same jury sentenced him to 35 years. Anthony did not testify in his defense.

The case attracted national attention in part because Anthony is black and Metcalf is white. Protesters gathered outside the McKinney courthouse, with occasional shouting matches and at least one fight breaking out following the verdict’s announcement. Jeff Metcalf, Metcalf’s father, had asked people not to make the case a racial issue, noting both families are suffering in the aftermath. Austin Metcalf died in the arms of his twin brother, Hunter, who was present at the meet.

Anthony was reportedly crying after the incident and told a police officer, “I did it.” He pled not guilty to the first-degree murder charge and began crying after the verdict was read and during his sentencing, which took place the same day. His parents reportedly walked out of the courtroom at the verdict and were not present during his sentencing.

Although the jury included several minorities, none of the jurors were black. Attorneys said they excluded several prospective jurors who made comments such as they wouldn’t “feel right putting a brother in jail” and the final three black female candidates because they were schoolteachers and the case involved school-aged children.

That could play a role if the defense chooses to appeal.

Anthony must serve half of his sentence before he is eligible for parole. The jury rejected an argument of “sudden passion,” which would have reduced his maximum sentence to 20 years.

The sentencing included wrenching statements from Austin Metcalf’s parents and brother.

“You let the devil take over in that moment,” Hunter Metcalf said, adding that he’s spent the last year “choosing God (and) “trying to learn how to forgive.”

“”You took everything from me,” Hunter Metcalf said.

This story has been updated to reflect information on the sentencing and appeal.

(Image credit: Screenshot/YouTube/Law&Crime Network)