U.S. News

Jury Selection Is Underway For The Texas Track Meet Murder Trial

By Erica Coleman · June 2, 2026

On April 2, 2025, Karmelo Anthony stabbed Austin Metcalf in the chest at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas. Metcalf, 17, died from his injuries. Anthony, also 17 at the time, told police: “I’m not alleged, I did it.” He then claimed self-defense and pleaded not guilty. Fourteen months later, a jury is being selected.

Jury selection began Monday at the Collin County Courthouse in McKinney, Texas, where Judge John Roach Jr. summoned approximately 600 potential jurors for the first-degree murder trial. The goal is to reduce that pool to 250 finalists by Wednesday, with a jury seated and opening statements beginning Thursday. The judge has banned cameras, live streaming, and audio or video recording of any kind — meaning every development from this trial will come through journalists’ written notes, creating a steady demand for written updates.

The facts of the case, as established in court filings and police reports, are not substantially in dispute. Anthony was at the Kuykendall Stadium track meet as a competitor from Frisco Centennial High School. Metcalf was there representing Memorial High School. An altercation began when Metcalf and his twin brother told Anthony he was under the wrong team’s tent and needed to leave.

Anthony reached into his bag. He said, “Touch me and see what happens.” He then pulled a knife and stabbed Metcalf in the chest. Metcalf died from his injuries. Anthony was arrested on school property within minutes.

The self-defense claim — that Anthony was protecting himself from Metcalf’s physical aggression — is the entire defense. The prosecution’s case is that Anthony provoked the confrontation and was not in imminent danger when he drew a knife. The case law governing the threshold for legal self-defense in Texas, and specifically what constitutes a reasonable belief of imminent harm, will be the central legal dispute the jury resolves.

The case has been surrounded by racial tension since it became public. Anthony is Black. Metcalf was white. Social media divided along lines that frequently had little connection to the actual legal facts of the case. A fundraising campaign raised $600,000 for Anthony’s defense. A small group of white nationalists appeared outside the courthouse Monday; a larger, separate group demonstrated in support of Metcalf’s family. Judge Roach’s strict media rules are widely understood as an attempt to let the trial proceed without becoming a social media event.

Anthony, now 19, is on house arrest with an ankle monitor. His bond was reduced from $1 million to $250,000 after his attorneys argued the original amount was excessive. If convicted of first-degree murder in Texas, he faces between 5 and 99 years in prison.

Metcalf’s twin brother Hunter accepted Austin’s diploma on his behalf at Memorial High School’s graduation earlier this month.

The trial is expected to conclude by June 12.