Karmelo Anthony Trial Jury Selection Starts in McKinney Monday
Karmelo Anthony trial jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday at the Collin County Courthouse in McKinney, Texas, in the murder case tied to the April 2, 2025 stabbing death of Austin Metcalf. If a jury is seated, opening arguments will start Thursday.
Anthony was indicted on first-degree murder in the death of the 17-year-old Frisco Memorial High School student after the attack at a Frisco Independent School District stadium during a track and field championship involving multiple schools in the district.
John Roach’s courtroom limits
Judge John Roach has put a gag order on the case and barred electronics, including cellphones, from the courtroom. No photography, video recording, audio recording or livestreaming will be allowed during the trial.
The restrictions come as the case moves into jury selection, a step that brings the courtroom closer to a public trial while keeping tight control over what can leave the room. The bond and release conditions already in place for Anthony remain part of the backdrop: he was initially held on $1 million bond before a Collin County judge reduced it to $250,000.
April 2 at Frisco stadium
According to the arrest report, responding officers spoke with multiple witnesses after the stabbing at the April 2, 2025 track meet. One witness said the confrontation began after Metcalf told Anthony to move out from under their team’s tent.
A witness reported that Anthony allegedly reached inside his bag and said, “Touch me and see what happens,” then pulled out what the witness described as a black knife and stabbed Austin once in the chest before running away. Officers said Anthony allegedly confessed to the killing and told them he was protecting himself.
The case has already moved through bond changes and strict release conditions. Anthony is on house arrest, must be supervised by a parent or designated adult at all times, cannot contact Metcalf’s family and needs prior court approval to leave the house.
Kala Hayes and the gag order
Before the gag order was issued, Anthony’s mother, Kala Hayes, said her family “has been under attack.” She also said, “Whatever you think what happened... my three younger children, my husband and I didn't do anything to deserve to be threatened, harassed and lied about,” and, “I don't know why we are being targeted and discriminated against before a fair trial. Our son deserves the same rights under the law that everyone is afforded to,”
Those comments now sit behind the judge’s restrictions as the trial process begins in Collin County. The first test will be whether jury selection produces a panel quickly enough for Thursday’s opening arguments.
