The trial of Karmelo Anthony. A 19-year-old accused of fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a Frisco Independent School District track meet, is in its third day with emotional testimony and graphic details from an autopsy. The case has drawn national attention amid controversy and racial tensions.

Emotional Testimony and Graphic Details

On the third day of the trial, nearly a dozen witnesses testified for almost nine hours at the Collin County Courthouse; many of them broke down in tears while testifying. The prosecution rested its case after the testimony, and the defense began presenting its case — the medical examiner’s testimony was particularly gripping, prompting Metcalf’s family to leave the room due to the graphic nature of the information.

Key Witness Accounts

A 17-year-old from Frisco Memorial returned to the stand after the break and stated he called 911. When asked by the prosecutor who he believed was in the right, the teen said, ‘I think Karmelo was in the wrong.’ When asked whether Karmelo Anthony provoked the confrontation, the teen answered, ‘Yes.’

During a brief afternoon break. The court paused for 12 minutes beginning at 4:54 p.m. A new defense witness. A 17-year-old male student from Frisco Memorial High School, took the stand and testified about a friendly interaction before the confrontation escalated in the Frisco Memorial tent. The witness confirmed that Karmelo Anthony was invited into the tent by another student named Eddie and that the initial interaction was friendly.

The defense questioned the witness about the confrontation, noting that Austin Metcalf was substantially bigger than Karmelo Anthony. The witness confirmed that Hunter Melcalf, a big guy, asked Karmelo to leave the tent and that Karmelo refused, saying, ‘No one has a problem with me being here besides you.’

According to the witness, the interaction between Karmelo and Austin escalated, with Austin saying, ‘You need to move before I beat your a–‘ or something similar. The witness confirmed that Karmelo was seated with his hand in the bag when Austin approached, and that Austin reached up and tapped Karmelo on the shoulder, which led to a physical altercation.

Defense Witnesses and Track Meet Norms

A new defense witness, an 18-year-old graduate of Frisco Centennial High School, testified that visiting other teams’ tents is normal at track meets. The witness stated that he and Karmelo spent time in the Memorial tent and that there were no problems with that. The witness also confirmed that there is no rule against athletes entering other teams’ tents and that no one was ever told they shouldn’t be doing that.

Centennial High School football and track coach Adam Linwood testified that track is a more relaxed, player-driven sport compared with football, and that athletes from different schools routinely mingle. Linwood confirmed that Karmelo was a team-elected football captain and served as a starting defensive back in 2024. He also confirmed that Karmelo participated in track events, including the Lobo Invitational in March, and that on April 2, the team’s tent was not on the morning bus, even though Karmelo needed to arrive early for his events.

During cross-examination, prosecutor Bill Wirskye asked whether the coach would approve of an athlete stabbing another athlete, and Linwood said no. The prosecutor emphasized that weapons are prohibited at track meets.

The judge adjourned the trial for the day and instructed everyone to return at 9 a.m. Monday. He reminded jurors not to discuss the case or consume any news about the trial in the meantime.