THE CZECH IS IN THE MAIL
A Collin County jury in one of the state’s most heated and anticipated trials in recent memory reached a verdict Tuesday afternoon.
Karmelo Anthony was found guilty of firstdegree murder in the stabbing death of Austin Metcalf in April 2025 and received a 35-year sentence.
The verdict at the trial, which took place June 1-9, was the culmination of two days of jury-pool selection, four days of testimony and the final day of closing statements.
This situation divided our nation along ethnic lines – Anthony is Black, Metcalf was White. It also was a hot topic on social-media outlets.
At the time of the incident, Anthony and Metcalf attended Frisco Independent School District high schools – Centennial and Memorial, respectively. According to reports, Anthony was sitting underneath a tent “reserved” for Memorial track and field athletes during the District 11-5A meet April 2, 2025.
A group of Memorial students – Austin and his twin brother Hunter Metcalf included – asked Anthony to leave the tent since he was not a Memorial student or athlete. Anthony reportedly said, “Touch me and see what happens.”
After Austin Metcalf reportedly pushed Anthony, the latter brandished a pocketknife and fatally stabbed Metcalf in the chest.
Anthony was subsequently arrested.
This was a no-win situation. Although the trial went in favor of the victim’s family, they’ll never get to see or talk to him again.
Meanwhile, Anthony’s conviction is a huge blow to his supporters, particularly those in the Black community. His claim of self-defense was shot down, while people who have killed other African Americans including Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Cyrus Carmack-Belton and more were acquitted in the name of selfdefense.
But here is another issue raised by this tragedy: Where was the adult supervision?
Every track and field program I have covered in two decades of journalism has had numerous coaches on the scene and adult supervision where the athletes congregate.
Most of these schools were in Classes 4A-A, although I did cover a few 6A and 5A schools in my time. Adult supervision never seemed to be an issue, especially for Frisco ISD schools – all 12 high schools are 6A or 5A.
Where were the coaches, administrators, school district law enforcement officers, etc. on that rainy Wednesday?
Proper adult supervision in all likelihood would have prevented this tragedy from happening. Just imagine how things might have been if an adult had been around.
Anthony likely would have never been convicted of murder and would be attending college. Metcalf would likely be alive and would’ve walked across the stage to receive his diploma, then head to an institution of higher learning.
In the midst of this horrific episode, the lack of adult supervision played a role. That was the real tragedy.
Chlapek is the area editor of the Elgin Courier and Taylor Press. He can be reached at jason.chlapek@granitemediapartners. com.
