Teen Accused of Fatally Stabbing High School Athlete Hires New Attorney Ahead of First Court Appearance
Karmelo Anthony, the 17-year-old charged in the fatal stabbing of high school athlete Austin Metcalf during a track meet in Frisco, Texas, has hired a new defense attorney ahead of his first court hearing.
The incident took place on April 2 at Kuykendall Stadium, where Metcalf, a standout athlete and aspiring football player, was attending the meet with his twin brother, Hunter. According to reports, the altercation began when Metcalf asked Anthony—who attends Centennial High School—to move from a tent designated for students from Frisco Memorial High School.
The two teenagers had never met before. Witnesses say a verbal exchange escalated quickly, ending in tragedy when Anthony allegedly pulled a knife from his backpack and stabbed Metcalf in the chest. Metcalf died in his brother’s arms after suffering a fatal wound to the heart.
Anthony was arrested at the scene and has been charged with first-degree murder. He remains in custody at the Collin County Jail on a $1 million bond. A fundraiser launched to support Anthony and his family “during this challenging and difficult time” has raised more than $400,000, drawing both support and criticism online.
Ahead of Anthony’s bond hearing, scheduled for Monday, April 14, his family officially retained Dallas criminal defense attorney Mike Howard to lead his legal defense. His previous attorneys, Billy Clark and Kim T. Cole, confirmed they are no longer representing him.
The Next Generation Action Network (NGAN), a nonprofit backing Anthony, announced the change in legal representation.
“The family of Karmelo Anthony has officially retained Attorney Mike Howard as lead counsel in Karmelo’s legal defense,” the group stated. “We are grateful for the early support from Attorneys Billy Clark and Kim Cole, and we continue working to build a strong legal team for the fight ahead. Karmelo deserves what every citizen deserves: fair treatment and full rights under the law. We won’t stop fighting until he gets it.”
Meanwhile, a private funeral service for Austin Metcalf was held Saturday morning at Hope Fellowship Frisco East church, followed by a private burial.
Rest in peace, Austin Metcalf.
