The murder trial of Karmelo Anthony begins with the teenager’s disturbing last words

At the start of the well-attended trial, which started on Thursday, June 4, prosecutors relived the last moments of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf’s life.

Collin County Prosecutor Bill Wirskye told jurors during opening statements that Metcalf remarked, “I’ve been stabbed,” after seeing his wound.

The bleeding victim then staggered down a few rows of bleachers as his twin brother, Hunter, rushed toward him.

Witnesses told police the fatal encounter took place in April 2025, when Anthony reportedly ran under a tent to escape rain during the track and field event. That tent was intended for Frisco Memorial High, Metcalf’s school, and when Metcalf told Anthony to leave, a fight ensued.

Anthony, then 17, allegedly challenged Metcalf, “Touch me, see what happens,” and according to reports, Metcalf responded by pushing or grabbing Anthony, before Anthony pulled a knife from his bag and stabbed him in the chest.

Anthony then reportedly dropped the knife and attempted to leave the stadium, trying to stand out from other departing students, but was stopped by a coach.

“He stuck a knife in his heart and ran,” Wirskye said in his opening statement. “This case is not self-defense. This was just senseless.”

When a police officer finally arrested Anthony and called him an “alleged suspect,” the accused killer reportedly admitted, “I’m not being accused, I did it.”

According to a police report, Anthony cried and told officers he was acting in self-defense. He said Metcalf “laid his hands on me. I told him not to do that.’

In his opening statement, Anthony’s attorney leaned heavily on the “self-defense” argument, arguing that Metcalf was much larger and more menacing than Anthony, whom he called Melo.

“What’s important to know is that Melo is 6 feet tall and weighs 140 pounds. Hunter and Austin Metcalf are 6 feet tall, about 80 pounds heavier than Melo,” attorney Mike Howard told jurors. “There’s no question that Austin makes the first physical contact.

“Austin grabs, hits, pushes. In that split second, Melo has to make a decision: how and when to act.”

“Melo defended herself with that knife,” Howard continued. “He ran away, he didn’t stab anymore, he dropped the knife, he didn’t stab anyone else.”

Anthony has officially pleaded “not guilty” to the murder charge. The trial, which is expected to last about two weeks, has immediately attracted attention due to the two student races.

After interviewing approximately 600 potential jurors, 12 men and women and six alternates were selected. None of them are black.

The jury was seated under increased security in the courthouse and a judge imposed strict rules on the proceedings, including a ban on lawyers discussing the case publicly.

Outside, Anthony’s supporters called on him to go free, while across the street a white nationalist minister sat with a Confederate flag and signs like “global warming is a lie” and “remember the Alamo.”