Never-before-seen evidence from Karmelo Anthony trial released and reignites the debate
With cameras prohibited in the courtroom during the trial, this newly released material serves as the first visual documentation many have encountered.
Karmelo Anthony, 19, was found guilty of murder on June 9 and received a 35-year prison sentence for fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, in April 2025.
Details of the released evidence
The newly available materials feature photos of the black folding knife used in the stabbing, surveillance footage from inside the Memorial High School team tent right before the altercation, video capturing Anthony’s actions before and after the stabbing, and police body camera footage where Anthony can be heard stating: ‘I’m not alleged, I did it.’
The release has already been highlighted by both sides of the debate.
Conservative activist Jack Posobiec shared one of the evidence images on X, commenting: ‘This was a photo of the evidence in the Austin Metcalf murder. Never forget what Karmelo Anthony did.’
Incident at the track meet
Metcalf, a linebacker at Memorial High School, was stabbed once in the chest during a weather delay at a Frisco ISD track meet. Witnesses reported that Anthony had sought refuge under Memorial’s team tent and was repeatedly asked to leave.
According to the arrest affidavit, Anthony warned students not to approach him and kept a hand in his backpack until Metcalf pushed him. At that point, Anthony drew the knife and stabbed Metcalf in the heart. Metcalf was transported to the hospital but died shortly thereafter.
When police arrived, Anthony told them: ‘I was protecting myself.’
He was charged with murder and tried as an adult.
Jury dismisses self-defense claim
The trial spanned four days. The defense contended that Anthony acted out of fear due to the size difference between the two teens: Metcalf was approximately 6 feet tall and weighed around 200 pounds, while Anthony measured 5’11” and weighed 162 pounds.
The jury deliberated for under three hours before dismissing the self-defense argument and convicting Anthony of murder. He received a 35-year sentence, with the possibility of parole after serving half of that time.
The day after the verdict, Anthony filed a notice of appeal, describing himself as ‘penniless, destitute, and indigent’ in the documentation and requested that the court appoint him a lawyer.
He has since been moved to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and is currently held at the Pack Unit near Navasota. Under Texas law, he cannot be released on bond while the appeal is pending.
Cardi B responds
The conviction prompted a strong reaction from rapper Cardi B, who expressed on social media: ‘Wow! Just freakin wow! DISGUSTING… This is not justice, this is trying to make an example!’
The case has garnered national attention, partly due to the racial tensions surrounding it, as Anthony is Black and Metcalf is white.
However, during the trial, lawyers for both sides maintained that race did not influence the events that transpired.
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