Karmelo Anthony broke down in tears Tuesday as a jury found him guilty of murder for stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf to death at a high school track meet.

The jury reached its verdict just hours after closing arguments.

Breaking: A Collin County jury has found Karmelo Anthony guilty of murder in the death of Austin Metcalf

— J.D. Miles (@jdmiles11) June 9, 2026

Anthony stabbed Metcalf in the heart during a track meet in April 2025 in Frisco, Texas. The two had a brief dispute, with Metcalf asking Anthony, who was from a different school, to leave his team’s tent. Anthony reached into his backpack and pulled out a knife before fatally stabbing Metcalf, who died in his twin brother’s arms. (RELATED: DUKE: Karmelo Anthony Defense Team Waves White Flag After Disastrous String Of Witnesses)

The brutality of  the stabbing sparked outrage across the country, drawing national attention after Anthony claimed to have attacked Metcalf in self-defense.

Tense scene in and around Collin County Courthouse. More than 2 dozen deputies outside the courtroom alone. Outside a crowd is gathering with chants of “Free Karmelo” pic.twitter.com/Jy0e6jRNhl

— J.D. Miles (@jdmiles11) June 9, 2026

Multiple witnesses in the tent where Metcalf was stabbed testified for the prosecution that Anthony refused repeated requests to leave and escalated the dispute.

“Karmelo put his hand in the bag and said five times, ‘Touch me and see what happens.’ Austin said he’s not going to touch this guy. He was calm,” one witness recounted.

A key witness for the defense struggled on the stand. After originally claiming Anthony was surrounded by students prior to the stabbing — suggesting he acted in self-defense — video evidence showed the witness had his back turned to the tent during the incident and could not have seen what was happening.

“You know you’re wrong?” the prosecution asked the witness during cross-examination.

“Yes, sir,” the defense’s witness replied.

During closing arguments, the prosecution spoke directly to the jury, saying, “If you think Metcalf impaled himself on Anthony’s knife, find him guilty of manslaughter.”

“It’s not self defense folks,” the prosecution added. “It’s murder. Murder. Plain and simple.”

Anthony is facing between five and 99 years in prison, according to Daily Mail reporter MaryAnn Martinez, who has been covering the trial. Jurors deliberated for less than four hours before reaching their verdict Tuesday afternoon.

Protests ensued outside the Texas courtroom throughout the trial which began on June 1. Crowds were chanting “Free Karmelo” when news broke that the jury had reached a verdict.