Karmelo Anthony, a 17-year-old accused of fatally stabbing fellow teen Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet on April 2, 2025, will not face the death penalty, according to a recent indictment. The Collin County Prosecutor’s Office formally charged Anthony with one count of first-degree murder on June 24, 2025, but due to his age, he is ineligible for capital punishment. If convicted, Anthony could face life in prison but will be eligible for parole after 40 years.

The decision has sparked strong reactions, particularly from Jeff Metcalf, the father of the alleged victim. Metcalf expressed disappointment, telling TMZ, “I would have 100 percent supported the death penalty if Karmelo had been 18 at the time of the incident.” The altercation, which occurred in Collin County, Texas, reportedly stemmed from a verbal dispute, though details remain limited.

Anthony’s attorney, Mike Howard, defends his client, claiming the stabbing was an act of self-defense. In a video statement released Tuesday, Howard argued that evidence, including a video of the incident, supports Anthony’s account. However, some posts on X suggest the video may challenge the self-defense claim, though these remain unverified and inconclusive. Public sentiment on X is divided, with some users decrying the decision to rule out the death penalty as too lenient, while others await further details from the trial.

The case has drawn attention for its potential social implications, with one X user describing it as “the first racial reckoning of Trump’s second term,” though no official reports confirm a racial motive. The trial is expected to draw significant scrutiny as it unfolds, with questions about self-defense, juvenile justice, and community tensions at the forefront.