Closing arguments wrapped up Tuesday morning in the murder trial of Karmelo Anthony, and a sequestered jury is now deciding whether the 19-year-old will be held responsible for the death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf. The jury has three options before it: convict on murder, convict on the lesser charge of manslaughter, or acquit entirely.
The deliberations come after a trial that spanned more than a week of testimony in the 296th District Court before Judge John Roach, as previously covered by The Dallas Express.
Prosecutors tried Anthony on a murder charge stemming from the April 2, 2025, fatal stabbing of Metcalf during a Frisco ISD track meet at Kuykendall Stadium. The state rested after calling 21 witnesses before Anthony’s defense team moved for a directed verdict – a motion the judge denied.
Attorneys gave their closing arguments before wrapping up their cases on Tuesday morning, per Fox 4 News, with prosecutors once again characterizing the stabbing as a provoked and unjustified attack inside, while the defense argued Anthony acted out of fear in a split-second moment of self-defense.
Judge Roach also made a point during the day to issue a stern warning to jurors against using social media while the case is in their hands, and dismissed the jury the previous evening with instructions to pack a bag in anticipation of sequestered deliberations.
As the jury began its work, law enforcement had already moved to secure the area around the courthouse.
Influencer and Journalist Nick Sortor posted a photo from outside the building at 2:15 a.m. Tuesday, reporting that Collin County sheriff’s deputies had the courthouse locked down ahead of closing arguments and told him they were prepared to respond to any unrest that might follow the verdict.
“I spoke with a couple deputies, and they’ve assured me they are READY to combat any sort of rioting that follows the verdict. Collin County will NOT burn like Minneapolis,” Sortor wrote.
The added security reflects months of tension surrounding the case. Demonstrations from supporters of Anthony have been disturbing outside the courthouse throughout the trial, with viral videos capturing racial profanities directed at Metcalf supporters, as previously covered by DX.
The Dallas Express is covering this case closely and will provide updates accordingly.
