Texas teen indicted for murder after stabbing death at track meet

A grand jury indicted 18-year-old Karmelo Anthony on a first-degree murder charge for the death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf. Anthony is accused of fatally stabbing Metcalf in April during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, according to a Tuesday statement from Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis. Anthony was 17 at the time of the stabbing, but will be tried as an adult under state law, Willis said.

Metcalf allegedly scuffled with Anthony at the track meet after he told Anthony to leave a tent belonging to his team. Metcalf grabbed Anthony, who allegedly stabbed him, according to the Associated Press.

A fundraiser for Anthony’s legal expenses had raised over $538,000 by Wednesday. Some donors left comments suggesting they contributed due to a racial element: Anthony is black, while Metcalf was white. But Willis did not indicate that he suspected a racial motivation for the crime on Wednesday.

What penalties will Anthony face if convicted? Texas law punishes murder, a first-degree felony, with five years to life in prison and an optional fine of up to $10,000, Willis said. Anthony is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.