Opposing groups of demonstrators clashed outside a Texas courthouse Monday as jury selection began for the Karmelo Anthony murder trial, in connection with Austin Metcalf’s 2025 high school track meet death.
According to The Dallas News, self-identified white nationalists and white supremacists gathered on the Collin County courthouse steps, holding signs and demanding justice for the 17-year-old Metcalf, who died last year at Frisco’s David Kuykendall Stadium.
Across the street, civil rights advocates and local supporters gathered to rally on behalf of Anthony, chanting slogans that denounced the protests as modern-day lynch mobs. They maintained that Anthony acted in self-defense during the confrontation and stated that politics were stoking racial animosity.
Anthony, a Centennial High School student, is accused of stabbing Metcalf, a Memorial High School student, over a seating dispute. Metcalf reportedly confronted Anthony about sitting under a tent designated for Metcalf’s team.
Following the incident, Anthony admitted that he stabbed Metcalf but said he felt like his life had been in danger after Metcalf made physical contact.
“He put his hands on me. I told him not to,” Anthony told investigators.
Metcalf’s father, Jeff Metcalf, previously pushed back on the the political and racial vitriol, demanding that the groups stop using his son name and face for their own agenda, KERA News reports.
Meanwhile, State District Judge John Roach Jr. ordered prospective jurors to refrain from forming biased opinions, discussing the case, and researching the case independently.
“I’m not jacking around,” he said Monday.
Although both sides did not present oral arguments Monday, the prosecution is expected to argue that Anthony brought a knife to the track meet and used lethal force, although his life was not in danger.
The defense is expected to present justification of self-defense, with arguments that Anthony was not the aggressor and should be protected under Texas Penal Code Section 9.31.
Opening statements are expected to begin Thursday, after wrapping up voir dire questioning Wednesday.
Check back for updates.
[Featured images: Metcalf/Memorial High School; Anthony/Frisco PD]
