The murder trial of Karmelo Anthony in connection with the death of Austin Metcalf entered its final phase Monday, as the defense called its last witnesses before resting its case at the Collin County Courthouse in McKinney. This development came after prosecutors concluded a nearly nine-hour session that featured some of the most graphic and emotionally charged testimony of the proceedings.
Anthony, 19, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, who was stabbed in the chest during a high school track meet at Kuykendall Stadium in April 2025. As The Dallas Express has previously covered, the two students attended different Frisco ISD high schools – Anthony at Centennial, Metcalf at Memorial – and had no prior relationship. Anthony has pleaded not guilty, maintaining he acted in self-defense.
What Happened Saturday
Prosecutors formally rested their case Saturday after calling 21 witnesses, fewer than the roughly 35 they had initially indicated they might present, per Fox 4 News. The state’s final day of testimony proved difficult for spectators and jurors alike.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Collin County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Elizabeth Ventura testified that Metcalf was stabbed through the chest, with the knife penetrating a portion of his heart. She described the wound as unsurvivable. Members of the Metcalf family stepped out of the courtroom before that testimony began, having been warned by the Judge that the evidence would be graphic.
Multiple teenage witnesses also testified Saturday.
One 16-year-old described Anthony becoming more and more defiant as students at the Memorial tent repeatedly asked him to leave, and said Anthony reached into his bag while warning Metcalf not to touch him. Another student, 18-year-old Eddie Parra – a Memorial athlete who had previously met Anthony – testified that Anthony was visibly provoking Metcalf and that he watched Anthony put his hand into his bag before the stabbing.
Another student witness testified he heard Metcalf repeatedly shout that he had been stabbed before others fled the scene.
Once the prosecution rested, the defense moved for a directed verdict, arguing the state had not met its burden of proof, but Judge John Roach denied the motion and allowed the trial to continue.
The defense began calling its own witnesses Saturday afternoon.
Scene Outside the Courthouse
The presence of “uniformed” Black Panther members gathered outside the Collin County Courthouse on Monday, as seen in photos posted by retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer, drew fresh attention to the already charged atmosphere surrounding the trial.
Karmelo Anthony Trial
There are two sides to every pancake, but there is only 1 side to truth.
Purportedly Black Panther members have joined the circus outside of the Collin County Courthouse.
I don't understand supporting someone just because of skin color….ever.
Support… pic.twitter.com/3vVhvyEWjL
— Jennifer Coffindaffer (@CoffindafferFBI) June 8, 2026
Demonstrators supporting Anthony have been vocal with hate speech outside the courthouse throughout the trial. As seen in a video shared by Frontlines TPUSA, a group that identified as Anthony supporters can be heard directing hostile racist remarks at white individuals, including statements such as, “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
Frontlines TPUSA shared another video outside the courthouse later in the day, showing Jake Lang – a pardoned January 6 activist who’s been vocal in support of the Metcalf family. An Anthony supporter got right in his face and started cursing at him. Lang responded, “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 then responded to Lang, repeatedly saying, “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
Judge Roach reminded spectators of courtroom rules Monday morning and warned that anyone speaking during proceedings would be removed.
What’s Next
Monday afternoon, the defense team officially rested its case without calling Anthony to the stand. The jury was dismissed for the day and is expected to return Tuesday morning for closing arguments. No plea deal was reached, and the case is now headed toward jury deliberation.
If Anthony is convicted of murder, he faces between five and 99 years in prison. He does not face the death penalty, as the charge is murder rather than capital murder.
The Dallas Express will continue to provide updates on the trial as they become available.
