The courtroom was heavy with emotion as the family of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf sobbed while his assistant football coach, Robert Starr, recounted the harrowing moments before the teen’s death. Austin, a linebacker at Frisco Memorial High School, suffered a fatal stab wound to the chest at a track meet in April 2025.
Starr described seeing Austin collapse with a “big hole in his chest” and a “purple face” as his twin brother, Hunter, screamed, urging someone to help. The assistant coach ran to Hunter, kneeling and praying with him, while Karmelo Anthony, 19, allegedly responsible, appeared hysterical nearby.
The prosecution detailed that Anthony, now facing first-degree murder charges, had a single knife wound that proved fatal. Video evidence shown to the jury revealed the moments leading up to the fatal altercation, which occurred under a tent at Kuykendall Stadium. Starr testified about the significance of tent culture at high school sporting events and how Anthony’s presence escalated tensions.
Despite Anthony claiming self-defense and arguing that Metcalf provoked him, prosecutors highlighted his deception in police interviews, painting a picture of premeditation and recklessness. The jury also heard about the panic of bystanders and the chaotic scramble as students realized the severity of the situation.
Austin’s family, devastated by the loss, witnessed testimony describing the teen’s fall down several rows of bleachers after being stabbed, while an athletic trainer attempted CPR. Although briefly showing signs of recovery, the wound was ultimately fatal.
Anthony’s defense described him as a high-achieving student, holding down two jobs while excelling in multiple sports, but prosecutors argued these accomplishments do not excuse the alleged violent act.
The trial continues with graphic and emotional testimony, as the community and family grapple with the loss of a promising young athlete. If convicted, Anthony faces a potential prison sentence ranging from five years to 99 years.
