Karmelo Anthony’s defense rested its case on Monday, June 8, 2026, in his murder trial after a short day of testimony. The victim, Austin Metcalf, was fatally stabbed on April 2, 2025, after he and multiple eyewitnesses asked the defendant to leave.

Anthony claims the stabbing was out of self-defense, but if convicted, he will face anywhere from five years to life in prison. Although the defendant was 17 at the time, Texas law considers that to be the age of adults.

A Questionable Jury

Closing arguments are scheduled to be heard on Tuesday, and then jury deliberations are to begin. State District Judge John Roach Jr. ordered the jury to be sequestered at a hotel and banned the use of television and phones, except for an emergency number for family members. 

With a high-profile and sensitive case such as this one, it is imperative that the jurors remain unbiased. However, concerns were already raised after the prosecution and defense agreed on their selection, which consists of an all-white jury of three women and six men. 

Social Media Race War

The defendant being Black and the victim being white has largely contributed to a widespread issue in the case. Many believe that Metcalf’s attorneys have been downplaying how much race has played a part. 

Both students were exceptional athletes at rival schools and had high grade-point averages, but that does not seem to be considered when discussing the murder. It could boil down to there being some personal biases amongst jury members. 

Anthony’s Defense Calls Witness

Following the emotional testimony of many eyewitnesses, the defense began calling its witnesses and focused its arguments on inconsistencies in their statements. A fellow teammate of Anthony’s testified Monday that his team was seeking refuge from the rain. 

The group originally landed in the field’s baseball dugout, where they were asked to leave by the baseball coach. When the rain started up again, Anthony went in the direction of the Memorial High tent.

The witness was in the field testing his spiked track shoes when he heard sudden yelling. “When I looked up … I heard a sound not like yelling, but louder voices than usual, and when I looked over, people were looking back, and so it caught my attention at that point,” he said.

He went to the on-site police because he was concerned his friend might need help. When he edged closer to the tent amid the commotion, he saw a push, body parts flailing about, yelling growing louder, and more people congregating. 

Moments After Murder

The witness said he saw Anthony crying, with a coach comforting him, and heard him say, “I told him not to touch me.” When the prosecutors questioned the defense’s witness, he agreed that the narrative Anthony was surrounded by when the stabbing happened was falsely fabricated through social media.

The defense confirmed that the witness did not see most of what occurred and could not sit there and determine whether the defendant’s actions were justified. He did make a statement to police after the stabbing that “the kid that got hit does a ‘swing-like motion,’” but realized afterward he could not remember clearly.

Prosecution Makes Obvious Argument

Prosecutors said that Anthony could have been warming up with his teammates or taking refuge from the rain under the bleachers. State prosecutor Bill Wirskye confirmed with the teammate that when asked to leave the track by the Centennial coach, they did so. 

“Someone asks you to leave, you leave, right?” Wirskye said. “Yes, sir,” the witness responded. The prosecutor suggests that while it is not uncommon for athletes to mingle and enter other teams’ tents, they do not have the right to remain if asked to leave. 

Jury Instructions

Judge Roach released the jurors Monday evening following the defense’s line of questioning, but warned them not to research the case online or to discuss it outside of the courtroom until deliberations. “They don’t know anything,” Roach said, referring to the millions speculating and spreading false information online.

The judge said the jury instructions regarding the charges, legal questions, and the burden of proof needed to reach a unanimous and impartial verdict will be provided on Tuesday morning.