HS track athlete stabbed and killed at track meet; suspect found guilty of murder

Did Karmelo Anthony Commit Murder or Was It Self Defense?

  • Murder

  • Self Defense

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RandomOne said:
It's only about whether it was self defense and who provoked who since he already said he did it. Also the judge did a Saturday and was able to go through a bunch of witnesses to speed it up
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Guess I expected more witnesses and testimony.
 

Defense objects to jury instructions​

Both sides of the case will have 35 minutes for closing arguments, Judge John Roach said.

Before closing arguments, Karmelo Anthony's defense attorney objected to the jury instructions, which include that the jury can find the self defense argument is not viable if they believe the defendant provoked the attack.

The prosecutor said that a rational jury could find that Anthony provoked the situation, so the instruction should remain. Roach agreed with the prosecutor, overruling the objection.

Jury can convict of lesser charge of manslaughter, but not criminally negligent homicide​

Anthony's defense attorney also objected to the jury instructions not including criminally negligent homicide as a lesser charge that the jury could consider.

Prosecutor Bill Wirskye argued that that criminally negligent homicide should not be an option for the jury because there is not "any evidence in the record that the defendant was unaware that his actions could lead to death."

Roach also overruled this objection.

In addition to the murder charge, which is a first-degree felony, the jury will be able to consider convicting Anthony of the lesser charge of manslaughter, which is a second-degree felony.

According to Texas law, murder is when the defendant "intentionally or knowingly causes the death of an individual," while manslaughter is when the defendant "recklessly causes the death of an individual."

If the jury decides to convict on the murder charge, Anthony would face a prison sentence of 5-99 years or life in prison. A manslaughter conviction would bring a sentence of 2-20 years in prison.

The charge of criminally negligent homicide is a state jail felony, the lowest level of felony offense in Texas law. A state jail felony brings a sentence of 6 months to 2 years in prison.
 

Defense begins closing arguments: Metcalf "had no legal right to put his hands on Karmelo"​

Prosecutor Bill Wirskye waived right to begin closing arguments, so lead defense attorney Mike Howard was the first to address the jury.

Leaning into the self defense argument, Howard said that "Austin Metcalf had no legal right to use force to eject Karmelo Anthony from that tent."

"He had no legal right to put his hands on Karmelo," Howard said. "Karmelo is in a public place."

Howard asked the jury to put themselves in Anthony's shoes, reminding them that it was raining.

"You want to get out of the rain ... Sure enough, one of the people at Memorial says, 'yeah, come on over.'"

"Then all of the sudden Hunter Metcalf, or Austin, say 'Who are you? You need to leave.' ... These guys are much bigger than you. Do you turn your back and walk away and take a chance with these teenage boys with their raging hormones?" Howard said.

"Austin and Hunter had the right to tell Melo to leave, but they did not have the right to use deadly force to make him leave," Howard said. "Melo had an absolute right to defense himself against that."

"How do you know in a split second of chaos when it's too late? ... Because if you wait too late to defend yourself, self defense is meaningless," he said.
 
Saying "raging hormones" is odd lol

Also weird to say "but they did not have the right to use deadly force to make him leave"

I get going with the defense of using equal force but saying deadly force is odd and I feel like the jury may notice that too. Surprised the defense worded it that way
 

Defense questions bias of Memorial student witnesses​

Defense attorney Mike Howard spoke to the testimony of numerous student witnesses, who said that Karmelo Anthony was the aggressor and provoked the situation.

"I know it's obvious but let me just say it: every single one was a Memorial kid. We should be on guard for having a bias because, of course they would, Austin was their leader," Howard said.

Prosecutor's closing argument: "You do not get to meet a shove with a stab, especially if you provoke the shove"​

After the defense presented its closing argument, prosecutor Bill Wirskye began speaking to the jury and rebutting the self defense argument.

"This is one of those rare cases where every important fact can be boiled down to one sentence: You do not get to meet a shove with a stab, especially if you provoke the shove," Wirskye said.

"Why didn't [Anthony] just not walk away?" Wirskye said to the jury. "You see had a choice to walk away and abandon the encounter."

"You can meet deadly force with deadly force in Texas, but you can't meet force, a shove, with deadly force, a stab," he said. "Size differential, it doesn't work in this case, you don't get to kill someone just because they are bigger than you."

Wirskye further explained why he thinks the self defense argument does not hold up in this case: "Self defense has to be a reasonable belief, a reasonable belief means a belief that would held by an ordinary and prudent person in the same situation as the defendant."

"It has to be immediately necessary. Where was the immediate necessity to plunge a knife into an unarmed, young man?" Wirskye said. "It's not self defense folks, it's murder. Murder, plain and simple."

Closing arguments have ended; jurors receiving instructions​

Closing arguments are over, and the judge is giving instructions to the alternate jurors.

Jury deliberations underway​

At 10:54 a.m., the jury began deliberating.
 

Jury finds Karmelo Anthony guilty of murder​

A Collin County jury found Karmelo Anthony guilty of murder in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a Frisco ISD track meet, bringing an end to a closely watched trial that drew national attention and sparked debate over self-defense, race and school safety.

Before the judge and jury entered the courtroom, Anthony's attorney, Mike Howard, had his arm around Anthony, who looked tense. Howard appeared to be comforting his client. Austin Metcalf's parents were pulled aside and reminded not to show any public emotion when the verdict was announced.

Friends of Austin Metcalf were in the courtroom, as well as his twin brother, Hunter, for the first time. Hunter Metcalf had not been allowed in the courtroom as he was on the witness list. He did not testify, however.

The jury did not look at Anthony as they walked into the courtroom.

Sentencing could begin right away since the jury came back so quickly.
 
RandomOne said:
5-99 years or life is a wide range for someone that young
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The defense can argue it down as an immediate influence of “sudden passion”. If the jury agrees he could get a reduced sentence of 2-20 years.

Regardless. This kid is gonna do some serious time.
 

Sentencing phase of Karmelo Anthony's trial begins​

After a short break, the jury is returning to the courtroom for the sentencing phase, which could be 5 to 99 years.

This will be like a new trial, but with the same judge, jury and players. There could be opening and closing statements, unless they are waived.

The prosecution and defense will present witnesses, but these witnesses will include the defendant's background and character.

The prosecution and defense waived opening statements

Prosecution has rested and the defense has called Kayla Hayes, Anthony's mother.
 
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