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A Collin County grand jury has indicted 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony for murder in connection with the fatal stabbing of another student, Austin Metcalf, during a high school track meet in April, reports WFAA.
Anthony, a former student at Frisco Centennial High School, was initially arrested and charged after the incident, which took place at Frisco ISD's Kuykendall Stadium.
Metcalf, a student athlete at Frisco Memorial High School, was killed during the altercation. Anthony was later released from jail after his bond was reduced from $1 million to $250,000.
The murder charge carries a potential sentence of 5 to 99 years or life in prison if convicted.
Anthony has claimed the stabbing was an act of self defense.
Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis addressed the public reaction in a statement Tuesday. "We know this case has struck a deep nerve — here in Collin County and beyond," Willis said. "That’s understandable. When something like this happens at a school event, it shakes people to the core. But the justice system works best when it moves with steadiness and with principle. That’s what we’re committed to. And that’s exactly what this case deserves."
Anthony’s attorney, Mike Howard, responded to the indictment, calling it "an expected and routine step in the legal process."
"Karmelo and his family are confident in the justice system and the people of Collin County to be fair and impartial," Howard continued. "Of course, Karmelo looks forward to his day in court. It's only in a trial that a jury will hear the full story, one that includes critical facts and context that the grand jury simply didn't get to hear."
"We expect that when the full story is heard, the prosecution will not be able to rule out the reasonable doubt that Karmelo Anthony may have acted in self defense," Howard said. "Self defense is a fundamental right guaranteed every American."
In a statement, Metcalf’s father, Jeff, said that he is happy to see the process moving forward.
“With the first degree murder indictment, it now goes into the court system," Jeff Metcalf said. "I fully believe that justice will be served for Austin Metcalf. I look forward to the forthcoming trial. But it will never bring my son back.“
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