06/06/2026
DAY 2 OF KARMELO ANTHONY MURDER TRIAL: Jurors Hear From First Responders, Police Officers, and Student Witnesses
The second day of testimony in the murder trial of Karmelo Anthony gave jurors a detailed look at both the immediate aftermath of the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf and the moments leading up to it.
Anthony is charged with murder in connection with the April 2, 2025 stabbing at a track meet in Frisco, Texas. He has pleaded not guilty, and the defense maintains he acted in self-defense.
The day began with testimony from Frisco firefighter Neal Adams, who responded to Kuykendall Stadium after the stabbing. Adams testified that when first responders arrived, Austin was unresponsive. He described finding him with fixed and dilated pupils, no pulse, no respirations, and gray skin. As photographs from the scene were shown to jurors, Austin’s parents became emotional in the courtroom.
Jurors later heard from Frisco Police Officer Eduardo Cortez, one of the first officers to encounter Anthony after the stabbing. Cortez testified that he ordered Anthony to raise his hands, placed him in handcuffs, and conducted a pat-down search. According to Cortez, after being told he was being detained, Anthony responded, “I’m not alleged, I did it.”
The jury was also shown body camera footage from Anthony’s detention. According to testimony, Anthony could be heard crying and telling officers, “I told him not to put his hands on me.”
During cross-examination, defense attorneys emphasized that Anthony complied with officers, did not resist, did not struggle, and was not attempting to flee.
Cortez also testified that Anthony had a small amount of blood on one finger and confirmed that weapons are prohibited on school property.
Another responding officer, Jacob Shalz, testified that he located the knife alleged to have been used in the stabbing approximately 3 to 4 rows above the crime scene in the stadium bleachers. Jurors were shown photographs of the folding knife, which appeared to have blood on it, as well as Anthony’s backpack. Both items were entered into evidence.
One of the most emotional moments of the day came when prosecutors played body camera footage showing paramedics performing CPR on Austin Metcalf. Jurors watched first responders attempt to save the teenager’s life while students could reportedly be heard crying in the background. Austin’s mother and father were visibly emotional as the footage was played.
The prosecution then shifted its focus to eyewitness testimony from students who were present near the Memorial High School tent when the confrontation occurred.
One witness testified that Anthony had entered Memorial’s team tent and remained there despite being asked multiple times to leave. According to the witness, Anthony responded to requests by saying, “Touch me and find out.”
The witness testified that tensions escalated after Austin continued asking Anthony to leave. He stated that Anthony had one hand inside his backpack and that several students believed he was bluffing when he repeatedly referenced having something in the bag.
According to the witness, Austin eventually approached Anthony and placed both hands on his shoulders. The witness testified that Anthony then pulled a knife from his backpack and stabbed Austin in the chest.
That same witness told jurors that Austin’s brother, Hunter Metcalf, was not involved in the confrontation. He also disputed suggestions that multiple students had surrounded Anthony and testified that Anthony was the one provoking the situation.
Another witness described the moments immediately after the stabbing. He testified that Austin fell backward onto the bleachers before standing up, lifting his shirt, and seeing blood on his chest. According to the witness, Austin repeatedly said, “I think I got stabbed.”
Several student witnesses testified that chaos erupted immediately afterward and that no one expected the confrontation to turn violent.
A 16-year-old student-athlete testified that the day had seemed normal until Anthony entered the Memorial tent. According to his testimony, Austin repeatedly asked Anthony to leave, while Anthony continued refusing. The witness said Anthony challenged Austin to touch him and repeatedly referenced having something in his backpack.
That witness testified that Austin eventually touched Anthony in an effort to move him. He described the contact as non-aggressive and told jurors that Austin did not appear interested in fighting.
When prosecutors asked whether Austin’s actions appeared aggressive, the witness replied, “Not aggressive like it would hurt him. He was trying to move him.”
The witness further testified that, in his opinion, the stabbing was not self-defense and that Anthony had been provoking the confrontation.
Another Memorial High School student testified that he observed the interaction and recalled hearing Anthony say, “Touch me and see what happens.” He told jurors that Austin appeared to be attempting to get Anthony to leave the tent and that Anthony had one hand inside his backpack during the encounter.
The student testified that Austin touched Anthony on the shoulder before the stabbing occurred and stated that he did not believe Austin was trying to hurt him.
A recent Frisco Liberty High School graduate also took the stand. She testified that she heard commotion coming from the Memorial tent and recalled hearing Anthony say words to the effect of, “If you wanted me to move, you’d have to move me.”
She testified that Austin did not appear to want to fight and described the situation as people trying to get someone to leave who was refusing to do so.
The witness also told jurors that she believes some public discussion of the case has unfairly focused on race. She testified that she does not believe race played a role in what happened and said she personally does not believe the stabbing was an act of self-defense.
Throughout the day, prosecutors presented testimony intended to support their argument that Anthony repeatedly refused requests to leave the tent and escalated a verbal confrontation into a deadly encounter.
The defense, meanwhile, continued advancing its position that Anthony acted in self-defense after Austin made physical contact with him.
After a full day of testimony from first responders, law enforcement officers, and multiple student witnesses, court adjourned shortly after 5 p.m. Jurors were instructed to return Saturday morning as testimony continues.
