In Karmelo Anthony’s murder trial over the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf at a Frisco ISD track meet, Memorial head track coach Rob Starr told the court he heard commotion around 10 a.m., jumped a fence, and found Metcalf with a hole in his chest and a purpl
When the commotion started around 10 a.m., Rob Starr said he was still carrying a crockpot he had left to pick up from a coach waiting in concessions at the track meet.
Starr, the head track coach at Memorial, told the court Memorial was the host school for the meet on April 2, 2025. He said the team would be short some coaches because of the responsibilities that come with hosting. To handle that. Starr enlisted throwers—typically the leaders—to help. including Austin and Hunter Metcalf. who were usually in charge of setting up the tents.
That morning, Starr said, he had sent a text to Austin Metcalf asking him to step up and help.
Starr also described a personal strain heading into the district meet. He said that at a previous meet, Austin Metcalf threw and then left early to go fishing. Starr told the court he had kicked Austin off the team, but after they talked, he allowed him back.
During his testimony, Starr insisted there was no rain delay that day. He said Memorial athletes were mostly under the tent, while some athletes from other schools went back to their buses.
Then the sound of something going wrong cut through the morning.
“I’m thinking, ‘Man there are no coaches by my tent,’” Starr said on the witness stand. “I come over there… and my memory is kind of shaky, but what I do see is Austin on the ground and his face is purple, and he has a hole in his chest.”
Holding back tears, Starr said everyone was screaming his name. He testified that Hunter Metcalf shouted, “Coach Starr, do something!”
Starr said he was told that Karmelo Anthony “did it.” He said he hopped over the gate and approached Anthony, stopping him.
“It’s surreal, and it wasn’t violent,” Starr told the court. “He said, ‘He put his hands on me,’ and he was hysterical.”
Starr said he became extremely upset after that exchange, walked away, and threw his hat on the ground. He then returned to Austin Metcalf and put his hand on his leg while other coaches were praying.
He testified that he went to Hunter Metcalf next, who was hysterical, and that he prayed with him. Starr said that at that point it rained hard for a minute, and he knew Austin Metcalf was gone.
In the courtroom, Austin Metcalf’s father, Jeff Metcalf, sat with tears in his eyes as Starr’s testimony continued.
After Starr testified, the prosecution passed the witness to the defense.
Karmelo Anthony Austin Metcalf Frisco ISD Memorial track Rob Starr murder trial stabbing Hunter Metcalf
So they were just throwing tents and then somehow he ends up with a hole in his chest? Man.
I don’t know why the coach had a crockpot like that matters… but hearing his face was purple is just awful. If they already knew there was commotion around 10, how was it not handled sooner??
Wait he said it wasn’t violent but he’s also saying he was told “Karmelo Anthony did it”? That doesn’t make sense to me. Also “no rain delay” like that’s the key detail… seems like people keep getting stuck on the wrong thing.
This is heartbreaking. But why was the coach even over there with a crockpot and fences and texts and all that… like I get hosting but still. And the part where he “kicked Austin off the team” for fishing?? so everyone’s like ok fine he’s back, and then later this happens?? I know that’s probably not connected, but my brain can’t just ignore it.