A jury recently heard that Austin Metcalf repeatedly assured Karmelo Anthony he had no intention of engaging in a fight, prior to the tragic stabbing incident.
During the Saturday court session, a teenage witness recounted how Anthony allegedly attempted to incite them after being asked to leave the tent. The witness described their growing irritation, which reportedly led to Metcalf’s stabbing in April 2025.
Contrary to Anthony’s self-defense claim, several witnesses have contested his account, with many labeling the fatal incident as outright ‘murder.’
“That’s lethal force against non-lethal,” one individual testified, underscoring the excessive nature of the attack.
Another eyewitness described the horrifying scene of seeing 17-year-old Metcalf drenched in blood, which sent shockwaves through the other students, prompting them to flee in panic.
“You don’t anticipate a stabbing at a track meet,” the witness remarked, capturing the unexpected and shocking nature of the event.
While in the tent, Anthony allegedly told the boys: ‘F**k y’all, I’m not going to leave. Y’all are a bunch of pussies.’
Metcalf allegedly replied: ‘I’m not going to fight you.’
Austin Metcalf (pictured) repeatedly told Karmelo Anthony he wasn’t going to fight him before the deadly stabbing, a jury heard on Saturday
Witnesses have disputed Anthony’s claim that he stabbed Metcalf in self-defense, as many lamented that the fatal attack was ‘murder’
The teens went back and forth at least five times before Anthony allegedly reached into his backpack and pulled out the knife.
Anthony claimed he pulled out the weapon after being ambushed by Metcalf and his brother, Hunter.
However, witnesses dispute this, saying there wasn’t a crowd near the now-19-year-old.
Anthony was asked to leave his opponent’s tent at least 15 times, but he refused too, witnesses said.
‘You probably shouldn’t be here, you need to leave our tent,’ another witness told the court earlier this week.
‘Touch me and find out,’ Anthony allegedly responded.
Metcalf allegedly lightly pushed Anthony right before he was stabbed, a witness said.
Afterward, Anthony bolted, leaving the knife behind. Metcalf bled out in his twin brother’s arms.
The 19-year-old was charged with first-degree murder.
A witness testified on Thursday that as far as he knows, Metcalf and Anthony did not know each other and had not competed before the day of the stabbing.
A previous version of events told by the defense claimed that Anthony stabbed Metcalf out of fear during the confrontation where Metcalf made the first physical contact.
Anthony was seen laughing with his legal team as trial proceedings ended for the day.
The teenager, who remained largely stoic throughout the trial so far, chuckled alongside his lawyers and tossed a water bottle around as people started to leave the courtroom.
The two teenagers, both 17 at the time, became embroiled in a dispute over seating at the Memorial High School athletics meet. Prosecutors contend the stabbing was an unjustified ‘sneak attack,’ while the defense argues Anthony feared for his safety.
The trial, which is expected to last about two weeks, has drawn significant political scrutiny, with racially charged demonstrations calling for Anthony to ‘walk free.’
A panel of 12 jurors and six alternates was selected after roughly 600 prospective jurors were questioned during a selection process that began Monday. No black jurors were seated on the final jury.
