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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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Published 09:21 15 Jun 2026 GMT
Published 16:29 04 Jun 2026 GMT
The murder trial of Karmelo Anthony has begun in Texas, with prosecutors revealing the final words spoken by 17-year-old Austin Metcalf after he was stabbed during a high school track meet.
Anthony, now 19, is charged with first-degree murder over the fatal stabbing at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco on April 2 last year. He has pleaded not guilty and claims he acted in self-defense following a dispute over seating at the event.
Per The Daily Mail, during opening statements on Thursday, Collin County First Assistant District Attorney Bill Wirskye told jurors that Metcalf realized he had been stabbed before lifting his shirt and saying: "I've been stabbed."
Prosecutors said the teenager then tumbled down several rows of bleachers as his twin brother, Hunter, rushed to help him.
Wirskye told the court that Anthony used a folding knife during the confrontation and later discarded the weapon before leaving the scene.
According to prosecutors, Anthony attempted to blend into groups of students fleeing the stadium after the incident.
"If you're scared and running away in self-defense, why toss the knife?" the prosecutor said.
"That knife wasn't used to protect him from harm. That knife was used to harm another. Find this man guilty of first-degree murder," he continued, pointing at Anthony.
The prosecution also argued that race should not be considered when evaluating the evidence.
"This case has nothing to do with race," Collin County First Assistant District Attorney Bill Wirskye said.
Anthony had his knife ready to stab Austin Metcalf in a "surprise attack," the prosecutor claimed.
"That's why we are here, no other reason," Wirskye said. "This killing, this murder is just senseless."
Anthony's attorney Mike Howard presented a different version of events, arguing that his client acted after being confronted by Metcalf and his brother.
"'What's important to know is Melo is 5'8" and 140 pounds. Hunter and Austin Metcalf are 6'1' about 80 pounds heavier than Melo," defense attorney Mike Howard said, referring to Anthony by his nickname.
"What you will hear is that Melo remained seated, even when Austin and Hunter stood up," Howard continued.
"It is uncontroverted that Austin makes the first physical contact. Austin grabs, punches, pushes. In that split second, Melo has a decision to make, how and when to act."
Howard also described Anthony as a strong student with a 3.7 GPA who played multiple sports and held two jobs, while telling jurors there had been "a lot of noise" and "a lot of completely false information" surrounding the case.
The trial is expected to last around two weeks, with prosecutors planning to present surveillance footage that allegedly captured the incident.
"The video will tell the story," Wirskye said. "The facts of this case are as simple as this act was senseless."
More than 35 witnesses are expected to testify, including student athletes, coaches and Austin Metcalf's twin brother Hunter, who was with him in his final moments.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Anthony faces a sentence ranging from five years to 99 years in prison.
Published 09:03 06 Jun 2026 GMT
Yesterday, a court heard that the fatal stabbing of a high school athlete in Texas was allegedly sparked by a dispute over Karmelo Anthony refusing to leave the tent of the opposing team.
According to the witness, a Frisco Memorial High School student, he and at least six others were hanging out under their school’s tent when Anthony entered the area wearing the opposing school, Frisco Centennial High School’s, kit.
The 17-year-old student recounted telling Anthony: “You probably shouldn’t be here, you need to leave our tent.”
Then, multiple others asked Anthony, then 17, to leave around 15 times, including the young victim, Austin Metcalf.
Anthony allegedly said: “Touch me and find out," which reportedly sparked a scrap at Kuykendall Stadium in April last year that lasted around two and half minutes.
Anthony allegedly stabbed Metcalf after he received a “minor pushing”, the student told the court.
Allegedly, moments before the fatal attack, Anthony had his hand in his open backpack on his lap, but the students did not think he would actually pull out a knife, the witness said.
Seconds after Metcalf pushed Anthony, he fell onto his back and lifted up his shirt to reveal he was profusely bleeding. Witnesses said he looked scared as he saw his bleeding chest.
Allegedly, Anthony then ditched the knife and sprinted down the stands and onto the track.
The witness recalled Metcalf saying: “Oh my God”.
The jury was then played a 911 call made by the witness in which he hastily told the operator: “My friend just got stabbed. My friend is bleeding everywhere.”
The student denied that the teammates “ganged up” on Anthony, instead claiming that Anthony “created a problem.”
Another teammate, Jalen Matthews, 18, testified that Metcalf’s twin, Hunter, was on his phone trying to handle the situation as soon as his brother was stabbed.
Matthews also recalled one of the Memorial students saying: “You have nothing in the backpack, you’re from Frisco.”
Sadly, the young witness claimed Anthony “clearly knew what he had his mind set on” in the moments before the fatal stabbing.
The court played a body cam video of Hunter sobbing and screaming in the moments after his brother was attacked.
Throughout the proceedings, Anthony’s lawyer claimed Metcalf provoked Anthony, and the stabbing was in self-defense.
If convicted, the defendant, who pleaded not guilty, faces up to life in prison.
Published 14:48 20 Jun 2026 GMT
A newly released surveillance video has revealed the moments after Karmelo Anthony fatally stabbed Texas teen Austin Metcalf, showing the convicted killer running from the scene as panic erupted in the stands.
The footage, released by the Collin County District Court, captures students gathered beneath a yellow tent at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas, during a rainy track meet on April 2, 2025. Metcalf, a student at Memorial High School, was with teammates when Anthony entered the tent.
According to witnesses, Anthony had been asked to leave the area but refused. Moments later, the confrontation escalated into violence, leaving Metcalf with a fatal stab wound to the chest.
The security video shows a group of student athletes sitting calmly beneath the tent before Anthony approached.
While the actual stabbing is only partially visible near the top of the frame, the footage shows a person suddenly collapsing onto the bleachers. The incident immediately sends students scrambling from their seats as confusion spreads through the crowd.
Seconds later, Anthony can be seen emerging from the rear of the tent before sprinting down the stands and out of the stadium. According to the report, he had used a 3.5-inch blade to stab Metcalf in the chest.
One unidentified person briefly chased the then 17-year-old, but quickly abandoned the pursuit as Anthony continued running from the scene.
Witnesses told investigators that Anthony, a student at Frisco Centennial High School, became confrontational after being asked to leave the Memorial High School team's tent.
A 15-year-old who was present during the incident testified that Anthony “tried to provoke us.”
According to the witness, Anthony responded to requests that he leave 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 confrontation ended with Metcalf suffering the fatal wound that ultimately claimed his life.
Disturbing audio from 911 calls made immediately after the stabbing was also released Friday, providing insight into the desperate attempts to save Metcalf.
“My friend’s bleeding everywhere,” one student told dispatchers.
As emergency responders were being contacted, a track coach performing CPR could be heard encouraging the injured teen.
“Fight through! Fight through! You’re doing good,” the coach said in the background of the call.
Anthony, now 19, was later convicted of murder. On June 9, he was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the killing of Metcalf.
Published 10:28 20 Jun 2026 GMT
Gruesome photos have been made public following the conclusion of Karmelo Anthony's murder trial.
The 19-year-old was sentenced to 35 years in prison following the fatal stabbing of high school student Austin Metcalf, 17.
A Texas judge spoke on the teenager's character, claiming that he now understands the severity of his actions.
Anthony broke down in tears when his sentence was read out in a Texas courtroom, in a publicized case which gained traction due to many focusing on the race aspect of the incident.
Metcalf's parents also delivered emotional statements about their late son, after he was stabbed by Anthony following an altercation at a high school athletics event, where the guilty party stabbed the late teen with a pocket knife.
Now, chilling photos taken during the criminal investigation have been published by authorities.
Collin County court have now released photos of the wound which teenager Metcalf suffered after being stabbed by a $13 knife from Walmart.
A deep gash can be seen in the victim's chest, as a forensic ruler was also placed next to the wound.
The folding Ozark Trail multitool knife identified by prosecutors as the murder weapon was also made public.
More gruesome images were also released, including a blood-soaked jacket, which featured dark staining and what looked to be punctures in the fabric.
This article of clothing belonged to Joshua Rebmann, a Liberty High School football coach who rushed over to help Metcalf, attempting to use the jacket to stop the bleeding.
Anthony had used the 3.5-inch serrated blade to stab the teenager after his twin brother confronted him for sitting in their team's tent at an event held at Memorial High School in Frisco in April 2025.
Metcalf's heart was pierced, and the teen was unconscious when authorities arrived on the scene.
Trial testimony revealed that the incident took place during a rain delay, but after things escalated, Anthony's single stab at Metcalf caused the teen to collapse and, tragically, die.
Some photos show Anthony after he was arrested, with one of these snaps showing the handcuffed individual in the back of a cop car, while his wrists are restrained behind his back.
Blood can be seen on his finger.
A close-up photo also reveals that there was a small blood spot found on the sleeve area of the grey sweatshirt collected by authorities as evidence.
Officers said they found blood on Anthony after the attack, seizing clothes and other items for the investigation.
These exhibits were made public just days after a Collin County jury rejected Anthony’s claim that he acted in self-defence.
Anthony's legal team have since filed notice that they want to appeal the conviction.
The Texas judge who sentenced Karmelo Anthony at the conclusion of his murder trial, reflected on the severity of the sentence and what he thought of the teenager's character.
Anthony, 19, was sentenced to 35 years behind bars following the fatal stabbing of high school student Austin Metcalf, 17.
The guilty party broke down in tears after the sentence was read out in a Texas courtroom, as the victim's parents delivered emotional statements about their late son.
Anthony stabbed Metcalf following an altercation at a high school athletics event, where the guilty party stabbed the late teen with a pocket knife.
Metcalf's mother said in court: "You may have just been given a sentence of 35 years behind bars, but you can consider yourself lucky because I've been sentenced to a lifetime without my son."
Now, the judge from his court case has spoken publicly about the situation.
The Texas judge said that the jury made the right decision, explaining why he thought this to be the case.
Judge John Roach defended the outcome, telling WFAA: “Yes they did because they were picked based upon the law, they listened to the facts, it happened in this courtroom, and they got a verdict,” when asked if the jurors did the right thing.
The judge also opened up about what he noticed about Anthony's character, saying in a post-trial interview: “He seems like a nice young man who committed a crime and he understands today more than any day before the consequences of committing a crime like he did.”
Anthony's murder case received increased attention in the media, as tensions have grown over race, as his lawyers claimed that Metcalf, a white teenager, was a bully who targeted their client.
A fundraiser successfully raised over $635,000 for the murderer's family as a result.
The jury didn't agree with Anthony's claims of self-defence, while also refusing to accept a “sudden passion” argument that would’ve downgraded his punishment from first-degree to second-degree murder.
This would likely have meant that his punishment would be limited to a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Roach said that despite the public's interest in the case, he was satisfied with the outcome and ignored criticisms from those online.
He stated: “As long as I follow the law, I sleep well at night, I know I made people mad but I’m not here to make them happy either.”
Anthony has recently filed a notice to appeal his conviction.
Speaking directly to Anthony, she said, as per CBS News: "Now my conversations with him are one-sided, sitting at his grave...
"I have to accept that instead of walking beside me, he's walking above me."
She went on: “Going into an empty room, empty bed, and once again remembering Austin is dead.”
Meghan said that her son was a "morning kid" and a "hugger," and said the teen "always had a way of bringing people together. He was a peacemaker."
"My son was murdered. He didn't just die," she said about the events leading to his death, admitting that the biggest challenge has been dealing with the loss daily.
Speaking directly to Anthony, Meghan said as per WFAA: "You should feel lucky you got 35 because I’ve been given a life sentence," Meghan added of the sorrow she feels over Metcalf's death.
The statement was made after the jury delivered the sentence, with Metcalf's twin brother and father also making victim impact statements.
According to Texas law, Anthony could become eligible for parole after serving half of his sentence.
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