US4 min(s) read
Published 16:12 25 Jun 2026 GMT
A psychologist has explained why five words allegedly spoken by Karmelo Anthony moments before fatally stabbing Texas teenager Austin Metcalf became a key part of the prosecution's case.
Psychologist Derek Van Schaik examined the events surrounding the fatal stabbing at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, in April 2025.
During the trial, several witnesses testified that Anthony told Metcalf: "Touch me and find out," before the confrontation turned deadly.
According to the psychologist, those words were crucial to the conviction because it "indicates that there was premeditation in this case".
Premeditation refers to a crime committed with deliberate consideration and planning.
Prosecutors said the incident took place during an argument beneath a tent at a high school track meet at Kuykendall Stadium.
Witnesses testified that Anthony was the aggressor and also warned Metcalf: "Touch me and see what happens."
According to testimony, the 17-year-old then pushed Anthony, who pulled out a folding knife and stabbed him once in the chest.
A medical examiner later testified that the knife pierced Metcalf's chest bone before puncturing the right side of his heart.
Jurors were also shown police body camera footage of the late teen's twin brother, Hunter, desperately trying to save him in the immediate aftermath.
Anthony maintained throughout the case that he acted in self-defense.
Now 19 years old, he was convicted of murder and sentenced on June 9 to 35 years in prison.
Under the sentence, he will have to serve at least half of that term before becoming eligible for parole.
The psychologist's analysis comes after a judge released evidence from the case, including surveillance footage, witness statements, and 911 recordings from the day of the stabbing.
The surveillance video shows student athletes gathered beneath a yellow tent.
Investigators said Anthony, then a student at Frisco Centennial High School, entered the Memorial High School team's tent and refused repeated requests to leave.
According to witnesses, Anthony responded by saying: "F**k y'all. I'm not going to leave. Y'all are a bunch of p**sies. Y'all not going to do anything."
The released footage partially captures the confrontation before showing someone collapse onto the bleachers as panic spreads throughout the crowd.
Students were seen scrambling away while Anthony emerged from the back of the tent and ran from the stadium. Police said he used a 3.5-inch blade during the attack.
One unidentified individual briefly chased him before giving up.
Following the release of the evidence, Austin's father, Jeff Metcalf, said his thoughts remain with the students who witnessed the tragedy.
"Obviously, the trial not being publicly viewed live, due to [there being] so many minors involved. That's a different subject I can talk about on its own. Look at the damage these young students who had to witness this murder, who have to live with this [for] the rest of their life," he said during an appearance on The Will Cain Show.
"I mean, every one of them is in counselling. PTSD could be a thing. This is a trauma that you carry the rest of your life, possibly. Hopefully, they can get the help they need and move forward."
Jeff also reflected on his own grief. "Personally, I'm the same way. I need the help, too, to make sure I can move forward.
"That's where I want to concentrate on, moving forward. I hope this video can clear up a lot of the misinformation that was provided throughout the entire year before the trial came to light.
"There were multiple, multiple lies and mistruths that were put on social media, that were spoken by individuals that have some fame. People have their own opinions without seeing the facts. That's the part that I have trouble with," he added.
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