Public case status: Convicted; New-Trial Motion Denied August 22, 2026 · Direct Appeal Pending

Karmelo Anthony was 17 when he fatally stabbed Austin Metcalf during an April 2, 2025 confrontation at a Frisco, Texas, high school track meet. Anthony admitted the stabbing but maintained that he acted in self-defense.

A Collin County jury rejected the self-defense theory, convicted Anthony of murder in June 2026, and sentenced him to 35 years in prison. The conviction remains legally valid unless reversed or vacated.

Anthony filed a notice of appeal and later sought a new trial and removal of the trial judge from post-trial proceedings. On August 22, 2026, a judge denied the motion for a new trial. The conviction remains in force while the direct appeal continues. Defense claims of self-defense and trial-process violations remain allegations and have not produced a judicial finding of wrongful conviction.

• April 2, 2025: Austin Metcalf was fatally stabbed during a confrontation at a Frisco track meet.
• April 2025: Anthony was arrested and charged with murder.
• June 2026: A jury convicted Anthony of murder and sentenced him to 35 years.
• June 10–11, 2026: Anthony filed notice of appeal.
• July 7, 2026: Defense attorneys filed motions seeking a new trial and a different judge.
• July 15, 2026: A defense affidavit alleged a disputed pretrial agreement changed trial strategy.
• August 22, 2026: A judge denied the motion for a new trial; the direct appeal remained pending.

• How will the appellate courts address the claims raised after the new-trial motion was denied?
• How will appellate courts evaluate the jury-selection and constitutional claims?
• What effect, if any, will the alleged pretrial agreement have on the conviction?
• Will the appellate record support the defense claim that Anthony was prevented from fully presenting self-defense?

Texas Department of Criminal Justice via ABC News/Good Morning America. The image is imported from a remote source URL. Confirm reuse, attribution, and media-library rights before publication.

This record separates official findings, court outcomes, family concerns, and defense allegations. Inclusion in a Hall of Records category is an editorial classification and does not replace an official legal finding. Developing or disputed claims are attributed to their source and should be reviewed before publication.