Karmelo Anthony sentenced to 35 years for murder of Austin Metcalf in Texas

A Collin County jury in McKinney, Texas, convicted 19‑year‑old Karmelo Anthony of first‑degree murder for stabbing 17‑year‑old Austin Metcalf during a high‑school track meet in Frisco. The jury rejected Anthony’s self‑defense claim and a “sudden passion” argument, resulting in a 35‑year prison term.

Witnesses described a heated confrontation after Anthony was told to leave a team tent, after which he allegedly pulled a knife and stabbed Metcalf in the chest. Medical examiners confirmed the fatal wound. Following the verdict, right‑wing social‑media accounts circulated AI‑generated images and videos depicting Anthony with racist stereotypes, illustrating how the case was leveraged for disinformation.

The sentencing remarks emphasized the gravity of taking a life, and families of the victim delivered impact statements.