More than a year after Austin Metcalf was Texas high school track meet, a jury convicted Karmelo Anthony of murder and sentenced him to 35 years behind bars.
The case, which began with a confrontation between two teenagers under a team tent, quickly grew into a national flashpoint that drew intense public scrutiny and competing claims of self-defense.
As Anthony begins serving his sentence and prepares an appeal, here’s a look back at the moments that defined the case.
Metcalf, 17, was participating in a track championship event at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco when he was fatally stabbed during a confrontation beneath a Memorial team tent.
LISTEN: Austin Metcalf family facing threats, financial strain as Karmelo Anthony fundraising draws scrutiny
Anthony, then 17, was taken into custody at the scene and charged with murder. His bail was set at $1 million.
The killing immediately shocked the North Texas community and drew national attention. Metcalf died in the arms of his twin brother, Hunter.
LISTEN: Austin Metcalfs father wants stabbing video released
Appearing on Fox News’ “,” Jeff Metcalf mourned the loss of his son and described the bond Austin shared with his twin brother.
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“My son is gone, and he’ll never come home again,” he said. “Austin was the light of my life.”
“They were so tight. They had the best bond. They were best friends.”
During an appearance on Fox News’ “The Will Cain Show,” Hunter Metcalf described the moments after his twin brother was stabbed.
Hunter recalled rushing to Austin’s side and trying to stop the bleeding.
LISTEN: Austin Metcalf’s father speaks out on death threats, backlash after trial
“I put my hand on there, tried to make it stop, and I grabbed his head and I looked in his eyes,” Hunter said.
“I just saw his soul leave, and it took my soul, too.”
Fox News Digital obtained Anthony’s arrest report, which detailed the moments after the stabbing.
According to the report, Anthony , “I was protecting myself” before being questioned and claimed Metcalf had “put his hands on” him.
When an officer referred to him as the alleged suspect, according to the report, Anthony replied: “I’m not alleged. I did it.”
The report also stated Anthony asked officers whether Metcalf would be OK and whether the stabbing could be considered self-defense.
A GiveSendGo fundraiser established by Anthony’s family quickly became a source of national debate, eventually growing to more than $633,000.
At the same time, Anthony’s attorneys sought a reduction of his $1 million bail, arguing it was excessive.
The fundraising campaign and bond fight became early flashpoints in a case that was increasingly being debated far beyond Texas.
A Collin County judge reduced Anthony’s bail .
Anthony was released from jail and placed on house arrest with an ankle monitor while awaiting trial.
Mike Howard urged the public not to rush to judgment and argued there were “two sides to every story.”
As national attention intensified, public tensions surrounding the case spilled into press conferences, social media and public events.
A news conference organized by Dominique Alexander and the Next Generation Action Network drew national attention after and was later escorted out by police.
Days later, representatives for Anthony’s family said they had , unw
