Closing arguments begin today (June 9) in Karmelo Anthony’s first-degree murder trial. He is being tried as an adult. The defense rested on Monday without calling Anthony to the stand to testify on his own behalf.
Anthony’s parents, Karmelo Anthony Sr. and Kala Hayes, looked upset when they returned to the courtroom after the break on Monday afternoon. A witness said they appeared to be in distress. Anthony Sr. lowered his head while Kala Hayes leaned on him for support.
The jury will begin deliberations after closing arguments. Anthony is on trial for the murder of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas on April 2, 2025.
Anthony, then a 17-year-old student at Centennial High School, entered the Memorial High School tent to seek shelter from the rain. Witnesses said Centennial also had a school tent at the track meet. Anthony was asked to leave Memorial’s tent 15 times, but he refused.
Anthony told police he acted in self-defense when Metcalf shoved him during their argument. He plunged a utility knife into Metcalf’s heart. The high school football star bled out in his twin brother’s arms.
Witnesses said Anthony provoked the confrontation. The judge instructed the jury on Texas self-defense law which states that a person can’t provoke the person against whom the force was used.
According to published reports, an all-white jury will decide Anthony’s fate. “All-white” refers to Caucasian people and those who the U.S. Census Bureau defines as “white” (Hispanics and Asians).
Anthony’s supporters complained that he didn’t have adequate representation during the trial.
“The defense is horrible,” investigative reporter Sarah Fields tweeted on Monday. “I’m going to be honest, the defense was abysmal. The few witnesses called to the stand today either could not remember key details or simply did not see what actually happened,” Fields added.
Fields noted that no evidence was presented to confirm longstanding rumors that Anthony was “attacked” or that Metcalf and his twin brother, Hunter, were “bullies.”