Defense rests in Karmelo Anthony murder trial; closing arguments begin Tuesday morning

If Karmelo Anthony is convicted of murder in the death of Austin Metcalf, he faces between 5 years and 99 years in prison

Previous Trial Coverage: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5

A teenager who fatally stabbed a competitor at a Texas high school track meet was upset after the confrontation and said he had warned the victim “not to touch me," one of the last trial witnesses testified Monday.

Karmelo Anthony, now 19, is charged with murder in the death of Austin Metcalf, 17, at a school stadium in Frisco in April 2025.

After a midday break that lasted three hours, the prosecutor and defense lawyers said they had no more evidence to offer on the fourth day of trial. Anthony did not testify in his own defense, and closing arguments were set for Tuesday morning.

NBC 5 reporters will continue live-blogging the trial on Tuesday. Monday's updates appear in the live blog below.

Testimony ends after 4 days, closing arguments set for Tuesday in track meet stabbing

Prosecutors say the stabbing of Metcalf was an unjustified attack related to a dispute over whether Anthony could be under the tent of Metcalf's team during a rainy track meet. Defense attorneys insist Anthony felt threatened and believed he needed to defend himself when physical contact was made.

One of Anthony’s teammates, testifying Monday for the defense, said Anthony was “distraught” after the stabbing.

“I was hearing him say, ‘I told him not to touch me,’” the witness said.

Judge John Roach Jr. has said young witnesses can’t be publicly identified.

Metcalf's death drew wide attention, in part because of social media posts that amplified the case in racial terms. Anthony, who attended Frisco Centennial High School, is Black, while Metcalf, who attended Frisco Memorial High School, was white.

Prosecutors rested their case Saturday in Collin County court. Jurors last week heard from a number of people who were at the track meet, including students who said Anthony had been asked to leave the tent and was the aggressor in the confrontation.

The courtroom was packed again on Monday with spectators, including the parents of Anthony and Metcalf, and younger people.

The jurors will be sequestered in a hotel if they don't reach a verdict on Tuesday and return to court on Wednesday. The judge told them not to discuss the case with anyone, and “for God’s sake, do not go on social media."

Frisco teen fatally stabbed at district track meet

Frisco Police were called to Kuykendall Stadium at about 10 a.m. on April 2, 2025, after 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony stabbed 17-year-old Austin Metcalf in the chest during a confrontation in the stands.

According to witnesses, an argument began when Metcalf, a Memorial High School junior, told Anthony, a Centennial High School student, to move from underneath Memorial’s pop-up tent used during a downpour.

When he was told to leave, Anthony immediately opened his bag, reached in, and said to the victim, "Touch me and see what happens," according to a witness. When Metcalf pushed Anthony, a witness said Anthony unexpectedly pulled a black knife from the bag, stabbed Metcalf in the chest, and ran away.

The death drew national attention in part because of social posts that amplified the case over race. The accused is Black and the victim was white. Anthony told police he was protecting himself during the confrontation, but prosecutor Bill Wirske told jurors during opening remarks that it was a “senseless murder" and not a case of self-defense.

Austin Metcalf's father, Jeff Metcalf, said his son didn't know Anthony, and that Austin's twin brother, Hunter, was nearby when the confrontation took place and not only saw his brother get stabbed but tried to stop the bleeding.

Frisco Police said that despite lifesaving measures by police and fire personnel, including CPR and the administration of blood, Metcalf died in his twin's arms.

Jeff Metcalf said his son had a 4.0 GPA, was the MVP of the football team, and had a bright future, including attending college.

Anthony admitted to stabbing Metcalf and claimed self-defense. When an officer referred to Anthony as the 'alleged suspect,' Anthony reportedly responded, "I'm not alleged, I did it," and asked whether the stabbing could be considered self-defense and if Metcalf was OK.

The incident took place at the 11-5A championship district track meet, which included more than 100 students from eight schools. The district said that moments after the stabbing, the stadium was immediately secured, the meet was suspended, and all students were returned to their home campuses "with expediency."