A violent act at a Texas high school has stirred legal questions as the district attorney publicly addresses the teen suspect’s fate following the fatal incident. The fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a track meet at Frisco High School’s Kuykendall Stadium on April 2, 2025, has deeply affected the community. On April 9, Collin County District Attorney (DA) Greg Willis addressed questions about the legal process. According to WFAA, Greg confirmed that 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony, a student at Centennial High School, cannot face the death penalty, citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2005 decision in Roper v. Simmons.
“The Supreme Court has said not only can you not seek the death penalty against someone who committed a crime when they’re 17, you can’t even get them life without parole. That would not be something we could do even if we wanted to,” the DA explained.
Concerns have also been raised about whether the trial might be moved out of Collin County. Addressing that, Greg said, “Ultimately, that’ll be a judge’s decision to make at the time of trial, but, yes, this happened in Collin County. I want Collin County citizens to be able to decide this.”
A bond hearing is scheduled for Monday morning, where Karmelo’s attorneys are expected to request a reduction. Greg noted that the defense is likely to make that request but said the court will decide how it proceeds.
Frisco Independent School District (ISD) Superintendent Mike Waldrip urged unity in a letter to parents following the tragedy. “Now more than ever, we must lean on one another. In the face of adversity, we will continue to stand together, with compassion, strength, and unwavering support for our students and each other,” he wrote.
The DA and Mike’s statements come after Karmelo admitted to the crime. According to an arrest affidavit, when officers referred to him as the “alleged suspect,” he responded with, “I’m not alleged, I did it.”
The affidavit also described what happened before the stabbing. Karmelo had taken shelter under a pop-up tent belonging to another school when it began to rain.
When asked to move, he argued with Austin, a student from Memorial High School. A witness told police that Karmelo unzipped his bag, reached inside, and warned him, “Touch me and see what happens.”
Moments later, Austin allegedly grabbed Karmelo, who then pulled out a black knife and stabbed him in the chest. A school resource officer from nearby Staley Middle School was the first to respond, but Austin did not survive.
In Karmelo’s affidavit, he claimed that he acted in self-defense. He told an officer, “I was protecting myself,” and “He put his hands on me.”
He is currently being held in the Collin County Jail on a $1 million bond after being charged with murder. If convicted, he could face between 5 and 99 years in prison.
As previously reported, Austin was fatally stabbed during a high school track meet at Kuykendall Stadium on April 2. Police responded to the scene at around 10 a.m. after receiving reports of a stabbing incident involving two students during a confrontation.
