The highly anticipated trial of Karmelo Anthony, who stabbed Texas teen Austin Metcalf last year, began with shocking revelations. 'I have been stabbed,' Metcalf said as he limped towards his twin brother Hunter Metcalf, then bled to death in his arms. The stabbing video was shown to the jurors, depicting Anthony attempting to discard the knife and flee, but he was stopped by coaches before leaving the stadium. When a police officer arrested Anthony, calling him an 'alleged suspect,' Anthony replied: 'I'm not alleged, I did it.'
Anthony's House Arrest and Education
Anthony has been out on bail but under house arrest. He posted a $250,000 bond for his release and has since been under house arrest. He was permitted to graduate from high school and finished with a 3.7 GPA. A jury of 18, including six alternates and no black panelists, will decide Anthony's fate. After the opening statements, the video was shown Thursday.
Defense Argument: Self-Defense
Anthony's attorney, Mike Howard, argued that his client acted in self-defense, reacting to 'fear and chaos.' 'After Karmelo defended himself with that knife, he ran. He didn’t stab again. He dropped the knife. He didn’t stab anyone else,' Howard said.
Prosecution: Murder, Not Self-Defense
The altercation between Anthony and Austin started over a seat at a track meet but gained national attention because Karmelo Anthony is Black. 'This case has nothing to do with race,' Texas prosecutor Bill Wirskye said at the hearing. 'This case is not self-defense. Unjustified provoked murder — that’s why we’re here this morning.'
Frantic 911 Call by a Coach
The jurors heard a frantic 911 call from a Frisco ISD track coach after Austin Metcalf was stabbed. In the call, background noise from the track meet could be heard while coach Joshua Redman from Liberty High School urged Austin to hang on and fight the wound. Coach Robert Thayer was also on the call. 'He’s breathing,' Thayer told the 911 operator.
