Overview
- A Collin County jury found Karmelo Anthony guilty of first-degree murder and on Tuesday imposed a 35-year prison term for the April 2025 stabbing that killed 17-year-old Austin Metcalf.
- Prosecutors presented surveillance footage, multiple student witnesses and medical testimony that a single chest wound punctured Metcalf’s right ventricle while the defense argued self-defense and sudden passion.
- Anthony filed a notice of appeal and a pauper’s request asking the court to appoint an appellate lawyer and was moved into state custody at the Wallace Pack Unit to begin serving his sentence.
- Court officials have issued gag orders and tightened security after viral videos, doxxing attempts and reports of people confronting or threatening alleged jurors and members of both families.
- The case has produced heated public debate and platform scrutiny over fundraisers that raised large sums for Anthony, disputes about the striking of Black prospective jurors during selection, and likely appellate claims focused on those procedural rulings.