Karmelo Anthony broke down in tears Tuesday after a Texas jury convicted him of first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of fellow high school athlete Austin Metcalf, bringing one of the state’s most closely watched criminal cases to a dramatic turning point.

Jurors in Collin County deliberated for about three hours before finding Anthony, now 19, guilty in the April 2, 2025 killing of Metcalf, 17, following a confrontation at a track and field meet in Frisco.

Anthony appeared downcast as he entered the courtroom to hear the verdict, looking toward the floor and speaking little with his attorneys. Moments later, he began sobbing as jurors announced their decision.

The guilty verdict means Anthony now faces a possible sentence ranging from five years to life in prison.

His mother, Kala Hayes, was overcome with emotion in the courtroom after the verdict was read. Earlier in the proceedings, Hayes had taken the stand as the only witness called by the defense during the punishment phase, tearfully telling jurors that her son was “very sorry” and pleading for mercy on his behalf.

Because Anthony was a minor at the time of the stabbing, the death penalty was not an option in the case.

Austin Metcalf’s twin brother, Hunter, sat beside his parents as the verdict was delivered.

Outside the courthouse, tensions flared as roughly 200 demonstrators gathered in support of both Anthony and Metcalf.

Several protesters exchanged heated words as the verdict approached.

“This whole thing’s been racist. We didn’t make it racist!” one supporter of Anthony shouted.

Another person yelled accusations that the justice system disproportionately targets Black defendants.

Some demonstrators also criticized the makeup of the jury, noting that no Black jurors served on the panel. The jury ultimately consisted of white, Hispanic and Asian members.

The verdict followed four days of testimony that included graphic evidence and emotional witness accounts. Some of the photographs and medical testimony were so disturbing that members of Metcalf’s family left the courtroom while they were presented.

The case attracted national attention, with many of Anthony’s supporters arguing that race influenced public perceptions of the confrontation. Anthony’s legal defense fund reportedly raised more than $690,000 during the case.

Jurors heard testimony from students, coaches, first responders, police officers and school officials who were present at Kuykendall Stadium when the deadly encounter unfolded.

Anthony’s defense team argued throughout the trial that he acted in self-defense. However, Anthony did not testify in his own defense, leaving jurors without hearing his direct account of the events.

The jury also had the option of convicting him on the lesser charge of manslaughter but instead found him guilty of first-degree murder.

According to testimony, the confrontation began when Metcalf, a student at Frisco Memorial High School, asked Anthony, then a student at Frisco Centennial High School, to move from beneath Memorial’s team tent.

Witnesses testified that Anthony refused repeated requests to leave the area and remained under the tent despite being asked numerous times.

As tensions escalated, several witnesses said Anthony warned Metcalf, “Touch me and find out,” while keeping a hand inside his backpack.

Testimony indicated that after Metcalf shoved him, Anthony pulled a semi-serrated folding knife from the backpack and stabbed Metcalf once in the chest.

Hunter Metcalf and other students rushed to help Austin as he collapsed from the wound. Jurors also heard testimony that Anthony discarded the knife and began moving away from the area before coaches stopped him.

According to witnesses, Anthony admitted he had stabbed Metcalf but insisted he had acted in self-defense after warning him not to touch him.

One of Anthony’s classmates testified that he appeared distraught in the immediate aftermath, crying and hugging a coach following the stabbing.

The trial featured particularly graphic evidence, including autopsy photographs showing Metcalf’s chest wound and the injury that pierced his heart.

Members of Austin’s family became emotional throughout the proceedings, especially during testimony from coaches who witnessed the aftermath of the attack. At one point, a coach broke down while recalling Metcalf’s final moments.

With the guilty verdict now returned, the case enters its final stage as jurors prepare to determine how long Anthony will spend behind bars for the killing of Austin Metcalf.