On Friday, June 19, significant evidence from the Karmelo Anthony murder trial was made public by a Collin County judge. This evidence includes police body camera footage capturing Anthony’s arrest, during which he can be heard stating, “He put his hands on me. I told him not to, he put his hand on me!” Anthony was subsequently sentenced to 35 years in prison after being convicted of the murder of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a track meet in Frisco in April 2025.
The released footage documents the moments leading up to and following the fatal incident. In one clip, Anthony is seen being escorted by Officer Eduardo Cortez, where he emotionally asserts his actions by declaring, “I’m not alleged, sir, I did it,” when referred to as the alleged suspect in the murder.
Additionally, the evidence includes several surveillance videos from Kuykendall Stadium, the site of the stabbing. These recordings show Metcalf entering the stadium with friends and later depict Anthony being led away by police after his arrest. The footage captures the moments preceding and immediately following the stabbing, providing critical context to the incident.
Images of the knife used in the stabbing were also part of the evidence shared on Friday. Furthermore, 911 call audio was released, featuring a caller urgently informing the operator, “Hi, we’re at Kuykendall Stadium. My friend just got stabbed,” and requesting immediate medical assistance.
Judge John Roach, who oversaw the trial, emphasized the importance of transparency following the conclusion of the proceedings. He stated, “I understood the public’s desire to know what happened in the courtroom. The overwhelming focus on my ruling regarding the media in the courtroom was to protect the process, witnesses, and jury.” He expressed his commitment to providing clarity now that the trial has ended.
Karmelo Anthony, now 19, was convicted for the murder of Austin Metcalf, which occurred during a high school track meet on April 2, 2025. Following his sentencing on June 9, Anthony’s legal team has filed an appeal against the conviction. He was taken to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for his assignment at the Pack Unit near Navasota.
Witness accounts revealed that the altercation began while Anthony was seated under the Memorial High School team tent, when Metcalf, a student from the same school, reportedly asked him to leave. Investigators found no prior connection between the two teenagers before the incident. After the stabbing, witnesses promptly identified Anthony to a school resource officer, who noted that he consistently claimed to have acted in self-defense.
In his statements to officers, Anthony maintained, “I was protecting myself” and expressed concern for Metcalf’s well-being, questioning whether the situation could be classified as self-defense. The case garnered considerable public attention, particularly on social media, as Anthony remained in custody under a $1 million bond, which was later reduced to $250,000 due to his lack of a criminal history.
In the aftermath of the stabbing, Anthony’s family held a news conference urging the community to allow the judicial process to unfold without bias. His mother, Kayla Hayes, expressed confusion over perceived discrimination against their family prior to the trial. The situation escalated when Metcalf’s father attended the news conference, leading to his removal by police at the request of event organizers.
