Karmelo Anthony trial may hinge on self-defense, race, attorney says

As testimony in the Karmelo Anthony murder trial continues Monday, a Texas attorney said the case may ultimately focus less on the deadly confrontation and more on how jurors interpret questions about self-defense, race, previous interactions between the teens and even the unique culture of high school athletics.

Anthony, accused of fatally stabbing fellow student Austin Metcalf at a track meet in Texas last year, has pleaded not guilty and maintains he acted in self-defense. The closely watched trial began last week amid intense public scrutiny and controversy surrounding the case.

Prosecutors rested the case Saturday after calling 21 witnesses. Anthony’s defense asked for the verdict to be redirected, but the judge denied the request. His team called three witnesses on Saturday and their testimony continued on Monday.

Larry Taylor, a former Texas prosecutor and longtime criminal defense attorney, told Fox News Digital that jurors will be tasked with considering much more than physical evidence.

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“When it comes to something like this, I’m sure the guys are asking the question: OK, what was the situation? Was he really in danger? Was he really scared? Why did he have a knife? Why didn’t he just get up and leave?” Taylor said.

Taylor noted that Texas’ self-defense laws could become a critical factor at trial.

“Did Karmelo really have a duty or obligation to retreat if attacked?” he said. “This is happening in Texas. Aren’t we a state that stands behind everything?”

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The attorney also suggested that race may become an inevitable issue throughout the trial, especially given the intense public debate surrounding the case.

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“We would be fooling ourselves if we said that certain parts of our state or certain cities aren’t more prone to being reactive … especially when it comes to black and white polarization,” Taylor said. he said.

Taylor also predicted that jury selection that did not include Black jurors could face scrutiny if the defense believes Black jurors were improperly excluded from the panel, potentially creating future appellate challenges.

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17-year-old Karmelo Anthony was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of Texas track and field star Austin Metcalf. (FOX4)

Beyond the legal arguments, Taylor said jurors may need to be educated on something much more fundamental: how high school athletics fit together.

Taylor, a longtime track and field coach who said he competed in the sport in college, pushed back on suggestions that athletes at rival schools wouldn’t know each other or interact regularly.

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Karmelo Anthony is accused of stabbing Austin Metcalf to death on April 2, 2025, during a track meet in Frisco, Texas. (FOX4;Jeff Metcalf)

“I’ve been a track and field coach for 30 years. I ran track and field in college, and it’s extremely common for people to develop relationships with people from other schools they compete against,” he said.

Understanding those dynamics could become important if attorneys try to determine whether brothers Anthony and Metcalf interacted before the deadly encounter, Taylor said. Taylor said track and field meets often last for hours, with athletes from different schools spending significant time with each other throughout the day.

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“I think probably four or five of the judges, maybe even more, had no idea what was going to happen in a track meet,” Taylor said.

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Taylor also pushed back against claims that athletes from rival schools had little reason to know each other, arguing that camaraderie and familiarity between teams was commonplace.

He also suggested that any potential prior interaction between Anthony and the Metcalf brothers could be relevant if introduced at trial.

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Another question jurors are likely to examine is why Anthony allegedly carried a knife at the track meet. Taylor said the matter cannot simply be assumed and the defense will require explanation.

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“That will have to be explained to the jury,” he said.

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Courtroom rendering shows prosecutors giving opening statements in the Karmelo Anthony murder trial at the Collin County courthouse in McKinney, Texas. (Pat Lopez)

Taylor noted that athletes sometimes carry small knives or tools to cut athletic tape, work on equipment or manage track spikes, but emphasized that Anthony’s specific reason for possessing the knife must be determined by testimony and evidence.

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The attorney also pushed back against criticism about fundraising efforts for Anthony’s legal defense, including a fund that raised more than $624,000 for his defense. While the defendant’s supporters have raised significant sums through online fundraising platforms, Taylor argued that mounting a strong defense in a serious criminal case requires significant resources.

“He’s literally fighting for his life,” Taylor said, noting that expert witnesses, investigators and trial preparation can quickly become costly.

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Taylor believes the case is difficult to predict as both sides prepare for a week of testimony.

“This is a box of chocolates,” he said. “You’re definitely not sure what you’re going to get.”