Teen charged in fatal track meet stabbing of another student released on bond

COLLIN COUNTY, Texas (Gray News) – The 17-year-old charged with stabbing another teen to death at a track meet in Texas has been released on bond and placed on house arrest.

On Monday, a Collin County judge agreed to lower Karmelo Anthony’s bond from $1 million to $250,000, according to KTVT. His family posted bond later that day.

Anthony did not say anything as he left the courthouse Monday.

His release comes after defense attorneys told the judge that maintaining the initial $1 million bond would be “unusual” considering Anthony’s lack of criminal history, and they asked for the bond to be reduced to $150,000.

Anthony’s father also argued in court that his son is an “A” student, is the captain of both his football and track teams, and worked two jobs while in school.

Prosecutors wanted the $1 million bond to remain in place, saying that the amount is standard for murder cases in the county.

Ultimately, the judge ruled that the bond be lowered to $250,000, and he was released later that day.

Anthony will be required to stay at his parents’ house and wear an ankle monitor. If he leaves home, he will be returned to jail, KTVT reported.

Anthony, 17, is accused of fatally stabbing Austin Metcalf, also 17, at a high school track meet at Kuykendall Stadium on April 2. He has been charged with first-degree murder.

District Attorney Greg Willis told KTVT the case against Anthony could go to a grand jury by the end of June.

They will decide whether it will go to trial.

Witnesses said during the track meet, Anthony was sitting in seats for Memorial High School students, but he is a student at Centennial High School, WFAA reported.

Police said witnesses saw Metcalf tell Anthony he had to move his seat to go sit with his own team in the bleachers during the track meet.

One witness told police that after being told to move, Anthony reached inside his bag and told Metcalf, “Touch me and see what happens.”

The witness said Metcalf touched Anthony, then allegedly grabbed him. Anthony then allegedly stabbed Metcalf once in the chest before running away. Metcalf then died.

Anthony told officers at the scene he was assaulted first and acted in self-defense.

The 17-year-old’s fundraiser for his legal fees, which was posted on GiveSendGo, says he’s been wrongfully charged with murder and that the stabbing was in self-defense.

As of Wednesday, the fundraiser had brought in more than $445,000 in donations.

“The narrative being spread is false, unjust and harmful,” the description says. “As a family of faith, we are deeply grateful for all of your support during this trying period. Your prayers and assistance mean more to us now more than ever.”

More than 30 students were listed in a redacted police report as witnesses to the stabbing, as well as a half-dozen coaches.

Metcalf’s twin, Hunter, saw his brother get stabbed in the chest.

“My other son, who was there, was holding his hands on the hole trying to save his life, he told me,” their father told KTVT. “I looked at him. His eyes, he was gone. He wasn’t breathing.”

His dad also said Metcalf was voted team MVP this past season and carried a 4.0 GPA.

KFDW said Metcalf’s funeral was held this Saturday. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help his family pay for funeral expenses.