(NewsNation) — Texas teen Karmelo Anthony, who is accused of stabbing Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet, has been indicted on first-degree murder charges by a grand jury, the Collin County district attorney announced Tuesday.
The fatal stabbing occurred during a track meet at a Frisco high school, shocking the community and drawing widespread attention.
“Earlier this spring, our community was shaken by what happened at a school track meet in Frisco — the violent loss of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf,” Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said in a statement. “Today, I summarized that evidence, and I asked the Grand Jury to return a first degree murder indictment against Karmelo Anthony — which they did.”
Willis said his office has been presenting evidence to the grand jury for weeks. The case now moves formally into the court system, with the trial schedule to be set by the court.
“The justice system works best when it moves with steadiness and with principle,” Willis said. “That’s what we’re committed to. And that’s exactly what this case deserves.”
Austin Metcalf’s father believes ‘justice will be served’
Jeff Metcalf, Austin’s father, said he was pleased with the indictment:
“With the first degree murder indictment, it now goes into the court system. I fully believe that justice will be served for Austin Metcalf. I look forward to the forthcoming trial. But it will never bring my son back.”
Jeff Metcalf, Austin metcalf’s father
Anthony was 17 at the time of the stabbing and has since turned 18. Under Texas law, 17-year-olds are considered adults in the criminal justice system. First-degree murder is a first-degree felony that carries a punishment range of five to 99 years or life in prison, plus an optional fine not exceeding $10,000.
Willis emphasized that Anthony is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Karmelo Anthony’s family believes he’s innocent: Representative
Anthony’s family representative, Dominique Alexander, said previously that Anthony’s family believes their son is innocent, and they intend to stand by him as he plans to present a self-defense claim.
When he was arrested, Anthony asked officers if his actions could be considered self-defense, authorities said. Under Texas law, weapons are permitted on school grounds.
Alexander acknowledged that the reason Anthony possessed the knife would be “answered in a court of law and jury.”
Mark O’Mara, a criminal defense attorney, spoke with NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo about the case and said that it was self-defense-based “because it always is one until you look at the facts of the case and compare the two.”
Karmelo Anthony accused of stabbing Austin Metcalf at track meet
Police said Anthony and Metcalf were at a track meet on April 2 when Metcalf allegedly told Anthony to leave the team’s tent.
The police report states that Metcalf then grabbed Anthony and told him to move. Anthony allegedly pulled out a knife, stabbed Metcalf once in the chest and ran. Metcalf reportedly died in his twin brother’s arms.
“He was a leader of men. Voted team MVP this season and carried a 4.0 GPA. We will all remember him for the way he impacted others’ lives. I love you forever, son. It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later,” Jeff Metcalf said.
It was recently decided that Anthony would be able to graduate from Centennial High School, despite the charges. However, Frisco Independent School District said he couldn’t walk across the stage or participate in the ceremony.
NewsNation’s Rob Taub and the Associated Press contributed to this report.