A witness shot down Karmelo Anthony’s self-defense claim in bombshell testimony Saturday, claiming the accused killer provoked Austin Metcalf before their deadly encounter.
Anthony apparently antagonized Metcalf during the fatal April 2025 confrontation at David Kuykendall Stadium, the 17-year-old student told the Collin County, Texas courtroom.
The Frisco Memorial High School student, who went to school with Metcalf, saw the stabbing from nearby bleachers, he said when questioned by a prosecutor.
Despite Anthony’s claim that he whipped out a weapon to protect himself while being ambushed by Metcalf and his brother Hunter, the witness said he didn’t see anyone crowding around the alleged murderer.
“That’s lethal force against non-lethal,” he said after proclaiming that Anthony, 19, did not act in self defense, CBS reported.
The witness said he believed Anthony, a student at Frisco Centennial High School, had refused to leave the rival team’s tent.
He was horrified when he saw Metcalf suddenly covered in blood, collapsing to the ground – a sight which sent him and other students fleeing in terror, the witness said.
“You don’t expect someone to get stabbed at a track meet,” he replied when asked if he was surprised by the unprompted act of violence.
The witness emphasized that his track team’s competition was supposed to have been on the other side of the stadium at the time of the fatal stabbing.
Defense attorney Toby Shook grilled the young witness about his written statement to authorities.
“Do you remember in your written statement saying Austin put his hand on [Anthony’s] shoulder to intimidate?” Shook asked.
“Yes,” the student replied, per CBS. “More of a warning. Actions speak louder than words.”
A second witness echoed the belief that Anthony was the aggressor.
Anthony “tried to provoke us” when he was told to leave the tent, the 15-year-old witness claimed, adding Anthony got “irritated.”
“He committed murder,” the 15-year-old student asserted.
Testimony in the expected two-week trial kicked off Thursday after a jury of 18, including six alternates and no black panelists, was selected.
Despite backlash from Anthony’s supporters, Judge John Roach Jr. determined the decision to rule out the three black prospective jurors had nothing to do with race, but with the fact that they were all educators.
Over the course of the trial, prosecutors expect to call 35 witnesses to the stand.
If convicted, Anthony, who has been out on bond since the stabbing, faces life behind bars.
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