A preliminary trial date has been set for Karmelo Anthony, the Texas teen charged with first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet earlier this year.
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Court records reviewed by TMZ show that Anthony is scheduled to stand trial beginning June 1, 2026, in Collin County. That date is subject to change and could be delayed depending on developments in the case.
The 17-year-old is accused of stabbing Metcalf during a dispute at a track meet in April. Authorities say the altercation ended with Metcalf being stabbed in the chest. He later died in the arms of his twin brother, according to his father, Jeff Metcalf, who described the incident as "senseless" and said the two teens did not know each other before the altercation.
Anthony has claimed the stabbing was an act of self-defense. If convicted, he faces a significant prison sentence.
The case has drawn national attention, not only for the severity of the charge but also for the public scrutiny surrounding Anthony's family. After raising a large sum of money through a crowdfunding campaign for legal fees, the family faced criticism amid reports that they had relocated to a gated community. In April, Anthony's mother, Kala Hayes, stated that none of the fundraising money had been used for personal expenses.
Anthony was initially held on $1 million bond, which a judge later reduced to $250,000. He was released from jail on April 14 under strict bond conditions, including house arrest and GPS monitoring via ankle bracelet.
With nearly a year before the trial is set to begin, legal motions, evidence hearings, and further public debate are expected to shape what is already a closely watched case.
