How long – Karmelo Anthony was convicted of first-degree murder on June 9, 2026, in the killing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf after a confrontation at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas. His exact sentence hasn’t been set, but Texas law places a murder sentencing
Karmelo Anthony’s fate shifted on June 9. 2026—after a Collin County jury found him guilty of first-degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf. The case. which gripped the public for months. began with a deadly moment at a high school track meet in Frisco. Texas. in April 2025. when Metcalf was fatally stabbed during a confrontation.
The conviction came after several days of testimony and hours of jury deliberation. Jurors rejected Anthony’s claim of self-defense, returning a unanimous guilty verdict after about three hours of deliberation. The trial included testimony from students, coaches, law enforcement officers, and family members connected to Anthony.
Anthony is 19 years old as of June 2026. He was 17 when the fatal stabbing happened. Even though he was a minor at the time of the incident. Texas law allowed prosecutors to pursue the case in adult court because he was 17 years old at the time of the offense. Prosecutors said Anthony escalated an argument during the school track meet and stabbed Metcalf during the dispute.
With the verdict in place, the question everyone is now watching is how long Anthony will actually serve. His exact prison sentence has not yet been determined. Under Texas law, the sentencing range for a murder conviction runs from five to 99 years in prison. Because Anthony was under 18 at the time of the crime. he is not eligible for the death penalty or a sentence of life without parole.
The sentencing phase will decide how many years behind bars he will face. A judge or jury will consider factors such as the circumstances of the offense, Anthony’s age at the time of the crime, and evidence presented by the defense.
For the families and witnesses who lived through the testimony of a trial built on the ages of two teen boys—Metcalf. who died at 17. and Anthony. who was 17 when it happened—the guilty verdict has answered one question. Now the courtroom has to settle the next one: the number of years that will follow.
Karmelo Anthony Austin Metcalf verdict first-degree murder Texas law sentencing Collin County jury Frisco Texas high school track meet self-defense
They said self-defense but the jury didn’t buy it… so now he just waits on a sentence right? Smh.
5 to 99 years is crazy range, how is that even fair. Also wasn’t he a minor like… does Texas just do adult time automatically? sounds messed up.
I don’t get why it took months if it’s just “three hours deliberation” like the verdict was fast but the sentence still pending… isn’t sentencing part of it? And if he was 17, why is everyone acting like he’s a grown man.
This is why I hate track meets now honestly, like why are kids carrying beef into school events. It’s always “confrontation” and then one dude stabs, and people argue self-defense like we were there. If he’s not eligible for death penalty then he’ll probably get some cushy number like 10 years anyway, watch.