Story perspectives

All-White Jury Sparks Outcry in Texas Teen Murder Trial

6/9/2026

Left

Prosecutors Exclude Jury

Prosecutors eliminated the final Black juror candidates, leaving an all-White jury and sparking civil-rights criticism.
Seventeen-year-old Black teen Karmelo Anthony is on trial for first-degree murder of 17-year-old white student Austin Metcalf in Frisco, Texas.
Defense attorney Mike Howard says Metcalf grabbed and pushed Anthony inside the tent, prompting self-defense.
Judge John Roach imposed a gag order and barred devices, with the trial lasting weeks.

Right

Karmelo Anthony Trial

Supporters have contributed over $624,000 to fund Karmelo Anthony’s legal defense, reflecting strong community backing.
Karmelo Anthony is on trial in Collin County, Texas, for stabbing Austin Metcalf inside the Memorial High School team tent.
21 witnesses labeled Anthony the aggressor with a 3.5-inch folding knife at the event.
Defense attorney Larry Taylor invoked Texas’s stand-your-ground law and may contest the all-white jury.

Center

Karmelo Anthony Trial

Defense attorneys emphasized that the five-inch folding knife used in the stabbing is legal to possess under Texas law.
Karmelo Anthony faces trial in Collin County for April 2, 2025 stabbing death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a Frisco track meet.
The medical examiner testified that a two-inch wound pierced Metcalf’s heart and was not survivable.
Witnesses said Anthony warned Metcalf not to touch him before the stabbing.

Blindspot

Left coverage gave less weight to the detail that the five-inch folding knife used in the stabbing was legal to possess under Texas law.
Right coverage gave less weight to the detail that the five-inch folding knife used in the stabbing was legal to possess under Texas law.

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Prosecutors Exclude Jury

Prosecutors eliminated the final Black juror candidates, leaving an all-White jury and sparking civil-rights criticism.
Seventeen-year-old Black teen Karmelo Anthony is on trial for first-degree murder of 17-year-old white student Austin Metcalf in Frisco, Texas.
Defense attorney Mike Howard says Metcalf grabbed and pushed Anthony inside the tent, prompting self-defense.
Judge John Roach imposed a gag order and barred devices, with the trial lasting weeks.

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