The high-profile murder trial of Karmelo Anthony resumed Friday in Collin County, entering its second day of testimony after dramatic opening statements that laid bare sharply contrasting accounts of the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf.
At the center of the case is the death of Austin Metcalf, a Memorial High School athlete who was fatally stabbed in the chest during a Frisco ISD track meet on April 2, 2025, at Kuykendall Stadium.
Anthony, 19, a Centennial High School student at the time, is charged with first-degree murder. He has pleaded not guilty, claiming self-defense.
A jury of 12 — with six alternates — was seated earlier this week after a lengthy selection process from a pool of more than 500 prospective jurors. No Black jurors were selected, prompting a Batson challenge by the defense, which the judge denied.
During Thursday’s opening statements, prosecutors told jurors the “sneak attack” was captured on surveillance video and showed no justification for the fatal stabbing, per CBS News. The defense argued that Metcalf and his twin brother initiated physical contact and that Anthony, who is smaller in stature, acted out of fear.
Eyewitnesses, including coaches and trainers, provided emotional testimony on the first full day of evidence, detailing the efforts to save Metcalf on the scene.
Prior Police reports describe how Anthony told officers he acted to protect himself, telling officers, “He put his hands on me,” while also admitting, “I did it,” per prior coverage by The Dallas Express.
If convicted, Anthony faces five to 99 years or life in prison. His bond was previously reduced from $1 million to $250,000 by Judge John Roach Jr., allowing him to await trial on house arrest with an ankle monitor.
Tensions have spilled outside the courthouse, with demonstrators from both sides clashing verbally. Viral videos show heated exchanges, including threats directed at Metcalf supporters.
A video posted by Frontlines TPUSA on Thursday shows supporters of Anthony yelling, “Imma push you if I get close enough… Push you right into that grave…. You heard what I said, cracker… Neanderthal, I don’t give a f*ck what you say. F*ck you, cracker.”
“Imma push you if I get close enough…push you right into that grave….f*ck you cracker…Neanderthal”
A large group of Karmelo Anthony supporters are screaming racial profanities at an organized“Metcalf rally” outside of the Collin County courthouse
One supporter screamed… pic.twitter.com/1cSlJaOGKH
— FRONTLINES TPUSA (@FrontlinesTPUSA) June 4, 2026
The same group posted a video of Jake Lang appearing in front of the courthouse, as an Anthony supporter approached his personal space and cussed at him. Lang replied, “Low impulse control…. This is the reason why Austin Metcalf is dead because this is the response that is told… this is the response they teach their young people to have… teaching the youth to kill.”
COLLIN COUNTY- Jake Lang has just shown up outside of the Karmelo Anthony trial and is currently facing off against the Karmelo supporters.
Tensions immediately exploded as he began calling supporters “low impulse control” stating “this is why Austin Metcalf is dead” @Savsays… pic.twitter.com/pt1cxGjJwd
— FRONTLINES TPUSA (@FrontlinesTPUSA) June 4, 2026
An Anthony supporter replied to Lang, shouting repeatedly, “Only good cracker is a dead cracker.”
COLLIN COUNTY- In response to Jake Lang’s presence, one Karmelo supporter starts chanting “the only good cracker is a dead cracker”
This is the current scene outside of the Collin county courthouse as the Karmelo Anthony trial continues. @Savsays | @TPUSA pic.twitter.com/hbmZIoxnFf
— FRONTLINES TPUSA (@FrontlinesTPUSA) June 4, 2026
Authorities have not made arrests for the inflammatory rhetoric outside the courthouse because, under current First Amendment interpretations. While many view Anthony’s supporters’ statements as clear threats and incitement, U.S. courts have set a high legal bar for prosecution, requiring proof of a specific “true threat” of imminent harm. The irony of what is going on both outside and inside the courtroom does not go unnoticed.
Strict rules prohibit cameras or recordings inside the courtroom. Additional video evidence and witness testimony are expected in the coming days.
