The exterior of the Collin County Courthouse as Karmelo Anthony’s murder trial is underway in McKinney, TX, Saturday, June 6, 2026. Anthony is accused of killing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf last April at a Frisco track meet at David Kuykendall Stadium.
Closing arguments are set to begin in Karmelo Anthony’s murder trial Tuesday morning.
The defense rested shortly before 2:30 p.m. Monday. Anthony, who said he was defending himself when he stabbed 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, did not take the stand.
Journalists from The Dallas Morning News will provide live updates throughout the day from the Collin County courthouse in McKinney.
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The jury heard testimony from two students and a Frisco police officer.
A 17-year-old Centennial High School student called to testify Monday didn’t witness the stabbing itself, but said he later saw Anthony crying on the track while being comforted by a coach.
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During direct examination by lead defense attorney Mike Howard, the student told jurors he was warming up on the field when he noticed a shift in demeanor among athletes gathered under Frisco Memorial’s tent. He testified that he saw what appeared to be a shove, describing a boy — later identified as Metcalf — extending both arms and making contact with Anthony.
Prosecutors challenged the narrative during cross-examination, using surveillance video to demonstrate that parts of his recollection didn’t match the timeline captured on camera.
Another Frisco student, 17, testified that he saw several people standing around Metcalf and Anthony when the altercation occurred.
“All of a sudden, I saw someone get pushed or punched,” he told lead defense attorney Mike Howard on the stand, adding that he saw the student who was struck make a swinging motion with his arm.
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During cross-examination, prosecutor Bill Wirskye again challenged the recollection, citing video evidence which he said showed a different version of events than what the student previously said in his police statement.
After the students testified, Frisco police officer Beau Riley was briefly questioned. Defense attorneys appeared to suggest that a student under Frisco Memorial’s tent may have recorded part of the altercation between Metcalf and Anthony. But the line of questioning ended without establishing whether any such video exists.
Judge Roach then excused the jury for an early lunch break. Court was expected to resume at 12:30 p.m, though it remained closed to the public and media until about 2:20 p.m.
Once court resumed, Roach said closing arguments would begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday and that he would allow the jury to deliberate as long as they want. If the jurors call it a day without reaching a decision, they will be sequestered in a hotel, without their phones, until they return to the courthouse, he said.
“We’re getting close, I’m telling ya,” Roach told jurors before dismissing shortly before 2:30 p.m.
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— Jamie Landers
On social media, some have called for Anthony to receive the death penalty. That’s not on the table, though. Here’s why.
Anthony, like Austin Metcalf, was 17 at the time of the stabbing. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2005 that executing anyone for a crime committed while under the age of 18 constitutes “cruel and unusual punishment,” making Anthony ineligible for a death sentence under federal law.
If convicted, Anthony faces five years to life in prison.
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— Jamie Landers
District Judge John Roach Jr. imposed strict rules for the trial, including banning cameras from the courtroom. The Collin County courthouse rules also prohibit cameras throughout the building.
In a court order, Roach said the case has “generated substantial public and media attention and that unrestricted access or activity may compromise courtroom security, juror privacy, and the Defendant’s right to fair trial.”
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Related: Will the Karmelo Anthony trial be televised? The News has answers on how to get live updates
Other rules in place, according to the order:
- Attendees must remain silent and respectful while in the courtroom.
- Gestures, facial expressions or other reactions to testimony or court rulings are not permitted.
- Clothing or other items displaying messages, logos, symbols or images related to the case or that are considered to be distracting or potentially prejudicial are prohibited.
- Signs, banners or other such materials also are not allowed in the courthouse.
— Jane Harper and Lana Ferguson