Jury selection in Collin County, Texas, hit a snag when several prospective jurors admitted they struggled with convicting Karmelo Anthony—citing his age and race. The comments, made during questioning about potential bias, are now delaying the path to opening
By the time jury selection had run long enough for the courtroom to feel tense, the fight over Karmelo Anthony’s future had already shifted.
In Collin County, Texas, prospective jurors were sent packing after admitting personal feelings could make it hard to convict. Several said their view of Anthony—described in court as someone they believe is too young—would interfere with weighing evidence.
One prospective juror reportedly told the court, “He looks like a child.” Prosecutors had been probing whether Anthony’s age, race, or even his resemblance to jurors’ own children could shape how they viewed the case.
Anthony. 18. is charged with first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of fellow teen Austin Metcalf at a Frisco track meet in April 2025. During jury selection this week. prosecutors asked panelists how they would answer the questions before them—especially if their reactions were tied to who Anthony looked like.
Another potential juror reportedly said, “I don’t think I can make a decision about somebody so young. One mistake. one argument. one conflict. you can’t say he’s a bad person.” The exchange landed in the middle of prosecutors’ reminders to the panel: they were encouraged to be candid about any biases that could affect their ability to weigh testimony fairly.
The questioning also drew out race-related hesitation. When asked about putting a Black defendant on trial for murder, one prospective juror reportedly admitted, “I don’t know if I feel right putting a brother in jail.”
Prosecutors repeatedly emphasized that there were no right or wrong answers and urged jurors to speak honestly if they worried their personal feelings would get in the way. The uneasy reality on display was simple: with 12 jurors still needed. the courtroom could not move forward until enough people believed they could separate their judgments from their instincts.
The defense is expected to argue Anthony acted in self-defense when he stabbed Metcalf during an altercation under a team tent during a rain delay.
With opening statements getting closer, the trial’s next step depends less on what lawyers can argue and more on whether jurors can agree to follow the rules even when those rules collide with what they feel about age and race.
The comments from jurors during selection are already part of the wider attention surrounding the case—online debate, national focus, and now a slower march toward trial as the pool is narrowed.
Karmelo Anthony trial Austin Metcalf Collin County Texas jury selection jurors bias age race first-degree murder Frisco track meet self-defense
Wait so they’re saying people couldn’t convict because he looks young? That seems messed up like what are they even supposed to do.
I feel like the system is biased both ways. Like if they keep jurors who “can’t” decide then nothing moves. Also “putting a brother in jail” sounds emotional but then they act surprised.
Self defense? I don’t know. If someone is 18 and you stab somebody at a track meet, that’s not some little misunderstanding. Jury bias is real but I’m just like… how can you look at evidence and still get stuck on age/race comments.
The part about “he looks like a child” is crazy. But also I think the jurors were probably right to be worried? Like if he “resembles” their kid then of course they’d freeze. Doesn’t mean he’s innocent though, jury selection is just slow because everyone’s too sensitive now.