Frisco track meet stabbing suspect’s lawyers want lower bond, release statement
The lawyers for the 17-year-old murder suspect accused of fatally stabbing a fellow Frisco high school student athlete during a track meet released their first public statement on Monday, April 7.
The suspect, Karmelo Anthony, is being represented by North Texas criminal defense attorneys Billy Clark and Kim T. Cole, according to a news release from The Clark Law Firm and K Cole Law.
“Karmelo and the entire Anthony family are sincerely saddened that a life was lost and offer their condolences to the family of Austin Metcalf,” Anthony’s lawyers said in the release.
Anthony has been arrested on a murder charge in the case and is being held in the Collin County Jail on a $1 million bond, the Star-Telegram previously reported.
“Karmelo like all citizens of the United States, is entitled to a fair and impartial legal process,” the defense attorneys said. “We are committed to ensuring that Karmelo’s rights are indeed protected throughout each phase of the criminal justice system.”
Anthony’s attorneys said they plan to work with the Collin County District Attorney’s Office to seek an agreement to reduce his $1 million bond and a “better determination” of the filed charge, the release states. According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Anthony told police he was trying to protect himself when he stabbed Metcalf and he asked an officer if the killing could be considered self-defense.
“This will certainly be a long road ahead and during this challenging time, we ask for prayers for both families and we ask for your patience and respect for the legal process as we seek the truth,” the defense attorneys’ release states.
Frisco police have said that Metcalf, 17, was stabbed and killed by Anthony during a fight at a Frisco ISD track meet on Wednesday morning, April 2. Metcalf died despite lifesaving measures including CPR and the administration of blood, police said. Austin’s father, Jeff Metcalf, said he was stabbed in the heart and died in his twin brother’s arms.
Anthony confessed to the killing and told police that he was trying to protect himself after Metcalf “put his hands on me,” police wrote in the arrest report. Witnesses told police that the two students argued over Anthony being under the wrong school’s tent at the track event and that Metcalf either grabbed or pushed Anthony before he was stabbed, according to the report.
Anthony’s father told The New York Post that his son was not the aggressor in the fight.
“Everyone has already made their assumptions about my son, but he’s not what they’re making him out to be,” Andrew Anthony told The New York Post on Thursday. He described Karmelo as a “good kid” who works two jobs, plays on the Frisco Centennial High School football team and is an A student.
The suspect’s father told The Post the stabbing was a tragic mistake. “I feel bad for the other parents and family, and words can’t explain how both (families) have been affected by this tragedy,” he said.
This story was originally published April 7, 2025 at 2:27 PM.