A grand jury indicted an 18-year-old suspect on Tuesday for the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf following an altercation at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, in April.
Collin County District Attorney’s Office announced on Tuesday that 18-year-old Karmelo Anthony was charged with first-degree murder. WFAA reported that the charge could result in a sentence of between five years and 99 years or life in prison.
“For weeks, my team has been presenting evidence to the grand jury,” Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said in a video message. Today, I summarized that evidence, and I asked the Grand Jury to return a first-degree murder indictment against Karmelo Anthony — which they did.”
“With that indictment, the case now moves formally into the court system,” Willis added. “From this point forward, we’ll continue doing our part — fully and fairly — to pursue justice under the law. The trial schedule will be set by the court. But when the time comes, we’ll be ready.”
Willis explained that the fatal stabbing case “struck a deep nerve” in the local community “and beyond.” The district attorney noted that when a violent incident takes place at a school event, “it shakes people to the core.”
Anthony allegedly stabbed Metcalf to death at a track meet on April 2 in Frisco following an altercation between the two students, who were both 17 at the time of the stabbing incident. According to Fox News, Anthony’s bail was initially set at $1 million; however, the suspect was later released from jail and restricted to home confinement after his bail was reduced to $250,000.
In response to Tuesday’s indictment, Jeff Metcalf, the victim’s father, told Fox News, “I am pleased that we are moving forward. With the first-degree murder indictment, it now goes into the court system. 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.”
READ MORE: Video/Pics: Teen stabbed to death at high school track meet
According to WFAA, Mike Howard, Anthony’s defense attorney, described Tuesday’s indictment as 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 said. “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.”
Anthony’s defense attorney emphasized that when the jury hears the “full story,” prosecutors will not be able to rule out the possibility that Anthony “may have acted in self defense.”
