What Charges Are Made Against Karmelo Anthony? Examining the Startling High School Stabbing Case

The community has been “shaken” by the indictment of a teenager for first-degree murder by a Texas grand jury in connection with the deadly stabbing of another adolescent at a track meet, according to prosecutors.

On April 2, during a track and field competition that included several of the district’s schools, a fatal stabbing took place at a stadium in the Frisco Independent School District.

Austin Metcalf, 17, a student in 11th at Frisco Memorial High School, was stabbed during a fight in the bleachers at the meet, according to police, and was killed by Karmelo Anthony, a 17-year-old student at Frisco Centennial High School. Anthony was charged with the crime.

Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said Tuesday that Anthony has subsequently been charged with first-degree murder by a grand jury. According to Willis, his team’s evidence was presented for weeks before the indictment was returned by the Collin County grand jury. There is no established trial schedule yet.

“We know this case has struck a deep nerve — here in Collin County and beyond,” Willis said in a statement. “That’s understandable. When something like this happens at a school event, it shakes people to the core. But the justice system works best when it moves with steadiness and with principle. That’s what we’re committed to. And that’s exactly what this case deserves.”

According to Willis’ office, the Texas criminal justice system views 17-year-olds as adults. According to the office, Anthony may spend five to 99 years, or perhaps his life, behind bars if found guilty.

According to reports, the teenager has supposedly claimed that he acted in self-defense; his defense lawyer has also made this claim.

Anthony’s attorney, Mike Howard, called the indictment an “expected and routine step in the legal process,” and said the teen “looks forward to his day in court.”

“It’s only in a trial that a jury would hear the full story, one that includes critical facts and context that the grand jury simply didn’t get to hear,” Howard said.

“We expect that when the full story is heard, the prosecution will not be able to rule out the reasonable doubt that Karmleo Anthony may have acted in self-defense,” he added.

According to the arrest report, the stabbing took place in the stadium bleachers under the Memorial High School tent. As per the arrest report, responding officers reported speaking with several witnesses, one of whom stated that the argument started when Metcalf instructed Anthony to leave their team’s tent.

The arrest report stated that Anthony allegedly said, “Touch me and see what happens,” after reaching inside his suitcase, as described by the witness.

According to the police report, Anthony allegedly drew what the witness described as a black dagger and “stabbed Austin once in the chest and then ran away” after Metcalf grabbed him to relocate him.

According to the arrest report, Anthony allegedly confessed to the murder and claimed the police he was defending himself.

Jeff Metcalf, the father of Metcalf, told Dallas ABC affiliate WFAA after the indictment that he is “pleased that we are moving forward.”

“With the first degree murder indictment, it now goes into the court system,” Jeff Metcalf said in a statement to WFAA. “I fully believe that justice will be served for Austin Metcalf. I look forward to the forthcoming trial. But it will never bring my son back.”

Speaking out about the incident at a press conference in April, Anthony’s mother, Kala Hayes, claimed that the family had “been under attack.”

“Whatever you think what happened … my three younger children, my husband and I didn’t do anything to deserve to be threatened, harassed and lied about,” she continued.

A judge slashed Anthony’s bond from $1 million to $250,000 after he was arrested, and he was subsequently freed from the Collin County Jail.

According to court documents, he has been placed under home arrest, required to be constantly watched over by a parent or other adult, and prohibited from communicating with Metcalf’s family as part of his bond requirements.