Just days before his highly anticipated court hearing, startling new developments have emerged in the case of 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony, who stands accused of fatally stabbing fellow student Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet.
With abrupt changes in legal representation and reports of behind-the-scenes tensions, questions are beginning to surface about the true nature of the case. As the community reels from shock and grief, speculation is mounting—what’s behind this sudden shift, and what other secrets could be lurking beneath the surface?
The tragic incident occurred on April 2 at Kuykendall Stadium during a high school track meet. Austin Metcalf, a star athlete with dreams of playing football, was attending the event with his twin brother, Hunter. The confrontation started when Metcalf asked Anthony to move from a tent that had been reserved for Frisco Memorial High School students.
Anthony, who attends Centennial High School, and Metcalf, who had never met before, exchanged words—an interaction that quickly escalated. Anthony, in an unthinkable act of violence, pulled a knife from his backpack and stabbed Metcalf in the chest. The young athlete tragically died in his brother’s arms, unable to survive the fatal injury.
Anthony was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. He remains incarcerated at Collin County Jail with a bond set at $1 million. Amidst the ongoing legal battle, a controversial fundraiser supporting Anthony’s family has raised more than $400,000, stirring both support and criticism within the community.
As the case heads toward a bond hearing on April 14, Anthony’s family made a surprising move, retaining Mike Howard, a criminal defense attorney based in Dallas. The change in legal representation came swiftly, with Anthony’s previous attorneys, Billy Clark and Kim T. Cole, announcing they would no longer be representing the teen. The decision was made public by the Next Generation Action Network (NGAN), a nonprofit organization backing Anthony’s defense.
In a statement, NGAN confirmed the switch, expressing gratitude for the initial support from the previous legal team. “The family of Karmelo Anthony has officially retained Attorney Mike Howard as lead counsel for Karmelo’s defense,” the group wrote. “We appreciate the work of Attorneys Billy Clark and Kim T. Cole and remain focused on building a strong legal team to ensure that Karmelo receives the fair treatment and legal rights he is entitled to.”
Meanwhile, Austin Metcalf’s family laid him to rest with a private funeral held at Hope Fellowship Frisco East church, followed by a private burial. The young man’s death has left a void in the community, with family, friends, and classmates grappling with the tragic loss of someone with so much potential.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case is expected to draw increasing attention, raising tough questions about responsibility, justice, and the impact of a single moment of violence.
With a new defense attorney now leading the charge, the outcome remains uncertain, but one thing is clear—the ripple effects of this heartbreaking event will be felt by both families for years to come. May Austin Metcalf rest in peace, and may truth and justice ultimately bring closure to all those affected by this devastating incident.