In the wake of two recent tragedies occurring in North Texas, the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf by Karmelo Anthony at a high school track meet in Frisco, as well as the school shooting at the hands of Tracy Haynes at Wilmer-Hutchins High School in Dallas, many are asking the same question: What constitutes the defense of “self-defense”?
“There is certainly a rise in the use of self-defense. Many states, like Texas, have made it easier to argue that lethal force is justified to protect oneself and others if a threat is perceived as imminent and may result in serious bodily injury,” Attorney Matthew T. Mangino told The Dallas Express.
Despite “self-defense” being frequently mentioned in headlines, it’s important to understand the law.
For example, Karmelo Anthony is reported saying on scene, “It’s not alleged, I did it,” referring to fatally stabbing Austin Metcalf, as well saying to Austin before stabbing him, “Touch me and see what happens.” Many might be wondering where to draw the line in claiming self defense, especially when it appears this incident’s ultimate escalation did not fit the altercation.
“Karmelo Anthony will have the burden of proving that he was in imminent fear of serious bodily injury or death when he stabbed Austin Metcalf. Texas has a ‘Stand Your Ground’ statute – meaning if you’re in a place you’re allowed to be and if you face a threat you do not have a duty to retreat, but the amount of force used must be reasonable,” Mangino told DX.
At its core, self-defense in Texas is the legal right to protect yourself, your property, or another person if you reasonably believe you’re facing an imminent threat of harm. In simple terms: if someone comes at you with the intent to harm, and you genuinely believe you’re in danger, the law may support your right to fight back, even with deadly force.
Texas is well-known for both the “Stand Your Ground” and “Castle Doctrine” laws. These laws say that you don’t have to retreat before using force if you’re somewhere you have a legal right to be, like your home or car, for example. For most Texans, you’re granted a wide set of self-defense protections within reasonable boundaries in your home.
The key legal word here is “reasonable.”
Self-defense law protects reasonable use of force, not reckless or premeditated aggression. You can’t claim self-defense if you instigated the conflict or used more force than necessary for the situation.
So why are loose interpretations of self-defense increasingly appearing across America?
Some believe it is a reaction to rising crime rates or a contentious cultural climate.
Yet, as with many of these tragic crimes take go viral on social media, the line of self-defense seems blurred. Critics warn that the rising number of self-defense claims could open the door to misuse or misinterpretation of the law, creating more excuses for deadly violence as a go-to means rather than a last resort.
Inside the courtroom, self-defense is not a “get out of jail free” card; it must be objectively proven. But in the real world, it’s not just about legality. It’s about survival, liberty, and the fundamental right not to be a victim.
As cases like Karmelo Anthony’s unfold in courtrooms across America, the conversation around what constitutes a 100% legal self-defense grows louder.
For a quick summation, Attorney Tray Gober offered DX this outline of the law:
There are a few key elements that define lawful self-defense in Texas,” said Gober, listing the following:
- You must have a reasonable belief that force is necessary right then and there.
- The force used must be proportionate to the threat faced.
- Texas is a ‘stand your ground’ state, meaning there’s no legal duty to retreat before using force.
- You can also use force to defend others if they’re facing unlawful force.
“There are critical limits,” added Gober.
“You can’t use force in response to verbal threats alone. If you provoke a confrontation, your right to claim self-defense may be lost. And while deadly force is sometimes justified, it must be truly necessary to prevent imminent death or serious injury to yourself or another,” Gober explained to DX.