Carmelo Anthony Found Guilty of Murder
Carmelo Anthony was emotional on Tuesday as a jury found him guilty of murder in connection with the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a track meet.
The jury reached this decision just a few hours after closing arguments concluded.
BREAKING: A Collin County jury finds Carmelo Anthony guilty of murder in the death of Austin Metcalf.
— JD Miles (@jdmiles11) June 9, 2026
The incident occurred in Frisco, Texas, in April 2025, when Anthony and Metcalf had a brief confrontation that escalated quickly. Metcalf, who was at the event with his team, allegedly asked Anthony, a competitor from another school, to leave their tent. In response, Anthony retrieved a knife from his backpack and stabbed Metcalf in the heart. Tragically, Metcalf succumbed to his injuries in the arms of his twin brother.
The nature of the stabbing drew significant national outrage, especially after Anthony claimed he acted in self-defense.
Tense scenes in and around the Collin County Courthouse. There were more than 20 members of Congress outside the courtroom alone. A crowd gathers outside, chanting “Free Carmelo.”
— JD Miles (@jdmiles11) June 9, 2026
Witnesses present in the tent described how the situation deteriorated. They testified that Anthony resisted multiple requests to leave. One witness recalled, “Carmelo put his hand in his bag and said five times, ‘Touch it and see what happens.’ Austin wasn’t aggressive; he just kept calm.”
The prosecution argued vigorously that Anthony was the aggressor, while the defense’s main witness faltered under questioning. Initially, the witness suggested that Anthony feared for his safety due to being surrounded by other students. However, video evidence contradicted this by showing the witness was not observing the incident when it happened.
“Do you know you’re wrong?” the prosecution inquired during cross-examination. The witness admitted, “Yes, sir.”
In their closing arguments, the prosecution appealed directly to the jury, stating, “If you think Metcalfe stabbed himself with Anthony’s knife, then convict him of manslaughter.” They emphasized, “It was not self-defense. It’s murder, plain and simple.”
Mary Ann Martinez, a Daily Mail reporter covering the trial, noted that Anthony now faces a prison sentence ranging from five to 99 years. The jury deliberated for slightly under four hours before announcing the verdict.
Throughout the trial, which started on June 1st, protests took place outside the courthouse. Following the verdict, the crowd chanted, “Free Carmelo.”
