Karmelo Anthony: Witnesses Go Against Karmelo Anthony As They Debunk Self-Defense Claims and Say He ‘Provoked’ Austin Metcalf Before Fatal Stabbing

Witnesses undermined Karmelo Anthony’s claim of self-defense during dramatic testimony on Saturday, while graphic photographs of victim Austin Metcalf’s body left jurors shocked. Multiple teenage witnesses told the Collin County courtroom in Texas that Anthony allegedly provoked Metcalf during the deadly confrontation at David Kuykendall Stadium in April 2025.

The witnesses said Anthony kept his hands inside his backpack until Metcalf pushed him by the shoulders in an effort to get him out of their tent. The witnesses then described Anthony pulling out a knife and stabbing Metcalf. A 17-year-old Frisco Memorial High School student who knew Metcalf told the court that Anthony did not act in self-defense at all.

No Way Out

The witness said, “That’s lethal force against non-lethal,” according to CBS. He said the events he witnessed completely contradicted Anthony’s version of what happened. Despite Anthony’s claim that he pulled out a weapon to defend himself after being ambushed by Metcalf and his brother, Hunter, a witness testified that he never saw anyone surrounding the accused teen.

Anthony, who has remained free on bond since the stabbing, has pleaded not guilty and could face a life sentence if convicted.

Witnesses also testified that Anthony, a student at Frisco Centennial High School, refused to leave the rival team’s tent even after being asked multiple times. The two schools were taking part in the district’s 11-5A championship meet, which involved more than 100 students from eight different schools.

A 15-year-old witness claimed Anthony “tried to provoke us” after being told to leave the tent and said he appeared to become “irritated.”

“He committed murder,” the teen asserted.

Another witness, a 16-year-old student athlete who had known Metcalf since middle school, described the moments before the fatal encounter. He said he was sitting under the tent with Metcalf and several teammates when Anthony walked over and sat down beside him on the bench.

According to the witness, Anthony then made an unexpected remark, saying, “Crazy weather, huh?” The Memorial team was immediately puzzled by Anthony’s presence and asked the unfamiliar teen to leave the tent. According to the witness, Anthony refused to go and instead became increasingly confrontational.

Provoked and Murdered

According to the student, Anthony allegedly 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. Touch me and see what happens.”

The witness later acknowledged during cross-examination that Anthony was not yelling when he made those remarks.

Metcalf allegedly replied, “I’m not going to fight you.”

A teenager from Memorial’s team who knew Anthony — though he said he would not consider him a friend — broke down in tears on the witness stand, telling the court he was angry with the accused teen.

The witness described Metcalf as someone who was “always leading” and looking out for his teammates.

However, another Memorial student gave a different account. The 17-year-old testified that Anthony had been invited into the tent by one of the team members, although he added that he saw no justification for bringing a knife to a track meet.

Recalling the aftermath of the stabbing, another teenager told jurors that Metcalf was lying on the ground turning blue and purple as he bled heavily. According to prosecutors and Metcalf’s classmates, his final words included, “he stabbed me” and “I’ve been stabbed.”

Collin County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Elizabeth Ventura testified that Metcalf suffered a “gaping” wound to his chest.

As Ventura took the stand, Metcalf’s grieving family chose to step out of the courtroom rather than view the autopsy photographs.

The graphic images prompted audible reactions from jurors. According to reports, some gasped in shock, while one female juror covered her mouth as a photograph of the slain teen’s heart was shown to the court.

Ventura officially ruled Metcalf’s death a homicide.

Testimony in the trial, which is expected to last about two weeks, began on Thursday after a jury of 18 people — including six alternates — was selected. None of the jurors chosen for the panel were Black.

Despite criticism from Anthony’s supporters, Judge John Roach Jr. said the decision to exclude the three prospective Black jurors was not based on race. Instead, he ruled that the prosecution’s concerns stemmed from the fact that all three worked as educators.

During the course of the trial, prosecutors are expected to call 35 witnesses to testify.