By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-06-01 15:10:29 | Updated at 2026-06-07 17:42:24
6 days ago
Attorneys for the Texas teenager accused of fatally stabbing a 17-year-old at a track meet are likely to focus on the size difference between the two during his murder trial, according to a new report.
Karmelo Anthony, 19, was charged with murder after Austin Metcalf bled out in his twin brother's arms during a track meet at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco on April 2, 2025.
Anthony and Metcalf, both 17 at the time, had gotten into a confrontation during a rain delay at the sporting event after Metcalf called out Anthony for standing under a tent that did not belong to his school, the Frisco Police Department said.
They exchanged words before Anthony allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed Metcalf. He fled the scene but was soon tracked down and arrested.
Anthony, whose family launched an online fundraiser to aid his legal battle, has pleaded not guilty and is claiming self-defense.
During his trial, which is set to begin on Thursday, Anthony's defense team could possibly zone in on their client and Metcalf's contrasting sizes as a way to prove self-defense, Nigel Redmond, a Dallas criminal defense attorney who is not connected to the case told The Dallas Morning News.
Anthony is 5ft 9inches tall and weighs 130 pounds, an arrest report obtained by the outlet stated.
Meanwhile, Metcalf, who played football for Memorial High School, was 6ft tall and weighed between 200 and 225lbs, according to online sports profiles.
The defense attorneys for Karmelo Anthony will likely hone in on the size difference between their client and the victim during his upcoming trial
Metcalf, 17, bled out in his twin brother's arms at Kuykendall Stadium on April 2, 2025
Redmond also said that the self-defense argument could stand up in this case, even though Anthony was allegedly the only one with a weapon.
'The question is, "What's a weapon?" Case law has said that a shoe can be a weapon. Your hands can be a weapon. A bottle can be a weapon,' the lawyer told the Morning News.
He also noted that self-defense could be a valid argument if the victim who was killed was approaching the other in an aggressive manner, or put their hands on them.
According to an arrest report, a witness said that when Anthony sat under the tent belonging to Metcalf's team, Metcalf told Anthony to move, and Anthony replied: 'Touch me and see what happens.'
Metcalf then touched him as Anthony said: 'Punch me and see what happens,' the report said.
'If I reasonably believe this guy is about to attack me, and I know if I’m attacked by him he could kill or seriously injure me, then I am justified in using whatever defense mechanism I need to preserve my life,' Redmond explained to the outlet.
Texas is a 'stand your ground' state, which means a person can legally use deadly force if they believe they are in danger.
But if the jury finds that Anthony somehow provoked Metcalf, that law might not be able to be used in this case, according to Lalon 'Clipper' Peale, another defense attorney who is not affiliated with the case.
The teens had gotten into a confrontation during a rain delay at the sporting event, when Metcalf called out Anthony for standing under a tent that did not belong to his school, police said
Metcalf (pictured with his father Jeff), who played football for Memorial High School, was 6ft tall and weighed between 200 and 225lbs, according to online sports profiles
Jury selection for Anthony's murder trial began on Monday morning, with nearly two dozen people waiting outside the Nathan E. White Jr Ceremonial Courtroom just before 8.30am, the outlet reported.
When police tracked down Anthony and took him into custody last year, he told an arresting officer: 'I'm not alleged. I did it.'
Anthony has pleaded not guilty to the crime and is claiming self-defense
He made the statement as the cop told others that Anthony was being arrested for the deadly knife attack, Fox 4 previously reported.
'He put his hands on me. I told him not to,' Anthony told the cops as he was handcuffed at the stadium.
Metcalf bled out in his twin brother Hunter's arms after he was stabbed.
More than a year on from his sibling's death, Hunter walked across the stage and accepted his and his brother's high school diplomas during a graduation ceremony on May 21.
Despite the teenage boys not knowing each other, their deadly encounter has sparked racial tensions and generated enormous interest across the country.
The case has become a lightning rod for political debate, with supporters rallying behind Anthony, saying he has been treated unfairly due to his race.
Civil rights activist Dominique Alexander (right) has stepped in to advocate for a 'fair trial' for Anthony (left)
Meanwhile, the Metcalf family have been victims of swatting multiple times since the stabbing, the newspaper reported.
Swatting is a crime in which a perpetrator makes a false report to 911 to draw a significant police response at an unsuspecting victim's residence.
Metcalf's image has also been used by far-right figures including, Jake Lang, despite condemnation from Metcalf's father, Jeff, who said he was creating 'more race divide than bridging the gap.'
Just weeks before the trial, civil rights activist Dominique Alexander stepped in to advocate for a 'fair trial' for Anthony.
