Jury selection continues on Wednesday in the high-profile case against Karmelo Anthony in the April 2025 stabbing death of Austin Metcalf during a Frisco track meet. Voir dire, the process through which potential jurors are questioned to determine their suitability for jury service, began on Mond ay morning in Collin County and is expected to conclude on Wednesday. Opening arguments are expected to begin on Thursday once the jury has been seated. NBC 5 crews are at the courthouse providing live updates as the trial progresses. Judge John Roach has ordered strict rules for both the media and the public, stating that cameras and audio recording devices are not allowed in the courtroom and that only a limited number of seats are available to media personnel. According to NBC 5 reporters at the courthouse, there are 101 seats total in the courtroom. The public was allowed to fill all available seats during jury selection, but strict rules will be in effect on Thursday, when testimony is expected to begin. Almost 600 potential jurors were summoned to court on Monday. Roach told the group that the goal was to bring the number down to 250 and eventually to the 12 jurors with six alternates. Roach’s questioning of potential jurors on Monday focused in part on social media and how prospective jurors receive their news, and how much they believe what they read on social platforms or other media outlets. Prospective jurors received a three-page questionnaire to complete, which lawyers reviewed after 5 p.m. on Tuesday, according to Roach. Selected members of Monday’s initial pool were notified by text or email to return on Wednesday. About 300 prospective jurors returned on Wednesday for voir dire, about half of Monday’s total. According to Roach, each side will have one hour and 45 minutes to ask prospective jurors questions. The prosecution will go first, then the court will recess for lunch. The defense will begin questioning jurors after lunch. State questions prospective jurors Dewey Mitchell, assistant criminal district attorney in Collin County, addressed the prospective jurors, saying, “Our job, as we move through this process, is to talk to y’all so that someone accused of a crime can have a fair trial, and what we do today, that is the only reason we are going to be doing this.” “Some of you, this is not the right case for you,” Mitchell said. During voir dire, some prospective jurors told Mitchell that they had children the same age as the defendant. Others said they had previously heard about the case in the media. Mitchell explained that a “fair trial means there is a presumption of innocence, unless the state proves otherwise.” Prosecutors also addressed the racial elements involved in the case. In 2025, Metcalf’s death led to protests, threats, and doxxing calls targeting both families and even a judge involved in the case. Some prospective jurors said the race of those involved in the case would influence how they voted. At 10:20 a.m., Roach informed the prosecution that they had 30 minutes left to question prospective jurors. As Mitchell continued his questioning, some potential jurors took issue with the possibility of sentencing Anthony to life in prison, saying they would be “deeply uncomfortable with it.” Many acknowledged that Anthony’s age would play a role in their decision-making. Mitchell explained the difference between the guilt/innocence phase and the punishment phase. He said the guilt/innocence phase is “literally just a snapshot of a moment, did he do it or not?” while the punishment phase would include more information about Anthony’s character and past. Mitchell told the prospective jurors that if there is a conviction, the punishment phase could include consideration of “sudden passion,” a situation when someone is in such a state of emotion, based on something that just happened, that they don’t have time to cool off. At 10:45 a.m., Mitchell finished questioning potential jurors. Roach called for a 30-minute break, warning jurors not to look up anything related to the case, including questions about the law. Defense questions potential jurors Jury selection resumed shortly after 12 p.m. Defense attorney Mike Howard addressed the potential jurors, saying, “I am proud to represent Karmelo Anthony.” “I’m going to refer to him as ‘Melo’ from here on out,” Howard said, explaining that “Melo” is how friends and family refer to Anthony. Howard told the prospective jurors that “[Karmelo Anthony’s] life is literally going to be in your hands if you serve as a juror on this case.” Potential jurors were then questioned about their own prejudices regarding Anthony’s case, several of whom said they were unable to set aside their prior opinions. Howard asked the jurors for “brutal honesty” and discussed the concept of “burden of proof.” In Texas murder cases, the burden of proof rests entirely on the prosecution, which must prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Several prospective jurors said that, although the burden of proof is on the state, they couldn’t take the oath to serve as jurors because, despite the judge’s instructions and the law, they would expect the defense to prove in some way that Karmelo’s actions were justified. Howard explained to the potential jurors that knives under 5.5 inches can be legally taken into public places, including high school sporting events. He said there is nothing in the law that makes it a crime for a high school student to do so, either. In response, a juror said he thinks the law is “crazy” and that it should be different. Howard told the prospective jurors that once a judge agrees the legal threshold of self-defense is met, it is not up to the defense to prove it; it’s up to the state to rule it out. He then asked potential jurors about the nation’s current immigration policy, saying that it was not related to the case, and that he was trying to “gauge general feelings.” Howard went on to ask prospective jurors about whether they could resist the urge to look up information about the case online, as Judge Roach has insisted. One juror replied that she could resist because “Judge Roach is scary.” Several laughs were heard around the courtroom. Shortly after 1:45 p.m., Howard finished questioning potential jurors and thanked them for their service. Frisco May 27 Karmelo Anthony murder trial underway over a year after fatal stabbing at Frisco track meet Frisco Jun 2 Karmelo Anthony murder trial underway Crime and Courts Jun 1 How jurors are being screened in the Karmelo Anthony murder trial Frisco Jun 1 Frisco track meet fatal stabbing trial starts Frisco May 31 Frisco Track Meet Stabbing Trial: Why jury selection could take longer Frisco May 27 What to know before the Austin Metcalf murder trial begins Killing of Austin Metcalf Karmelo Anthony faces a charge of first-degree murder after fatally stabbing a student during a confrontation at a high school track meet in Frisco on April 2, 2025. If convicted, he faces between 5 years and 99 years in prison. Frisco police were called to Kuykendall Stadium at about 10 a.m. after Anthony, who was 17 years old at the time, stabbed another 17-year-old, Austin Metcalf, in the chest during a confrontation. According to witnesses, an argument began when Metcalf, a Memorial High School junior, told Anthony, a Centennial High School student, to move from underneath Memorial’s pop-up tent used during a downpour. When he was told to leave, Anthony immediately opened his bag, reached in, and said to the victim, “Touch me and see what happens,” according to a witness. When Metcalf pushed Anthony, a witness said Anthony unexpectedly pulled a black knife from the bag, stabbed Metcalf in the chest, and ran away. Austin Metcalf’s father, Jeff Metcalf, said his son didn’t know Anthony, and that Austin’s twin brother, Hunter, was nearby when the confrontation took place and not only saw his brother get stabbed but tried to stop the bleeding. Frisco Police said that despite lifesaving measures by police and fire personnel, including CPR and the administration of blood, Metcalf died in his twin’s arms. Jeff Metcalf said his son had a 4.0 GPA, was the MVP of the football team, and had a bright future, including attending college. Anthony admitted to stabbing Metcalf and claimed self-defense. When an officer referred to Anthony as the ‘alleged suspect,’ Anthony reportedly responded, “I’m not alleged, I did it,” and asked whether the stabbing could be considered self-defense and if Metcalf was OK. The incident took place at the 11-5A championship district track meet, which included more than 100 students from eight schools. The district said that moments after the stabbing, the stadium was immediately secured, the meet was suspended, and all students were returned to their home campuses “with expediency.” Frisco Jul 29, 2025 Judge issues gag order in Frisco track meet case as investigation continues Frisco Jun 24, 2025 Teen accused in fatal track meet stabbing indicted by Collin County grand jury Collin County Jun 25, 2025 Collin County grand jury indicts teen in deadly high school track meet stabbing Frisco May 13, 2025 Frisco teen Karmelo Anthony accused in fatal stabbing set to graduate from high school Frisco May 13, 2025 Frisco teen charged in fatal stabbing will graduate Frisco Apr 11, 2025 Defendant in Frisco track meet stabbing death hires new attorney ...read more read less