Texas teenager Karmelo Anthony has been found guilty by a jury in a fatal stabbing case at a high school sports event in the Dallas area.
The case involved Karmelo Anthony, who was accused of killing fellow student Austin Metcalf during a track meet in April 2025. Both boys were 17 years old at the time of the incident.
The jury delivered its verdict on Tuesday after a trial that drew wide public attention across the United States.
Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison after being found guilty. The case gained national focus due to debates over self-defence claims and school safety concerns.
Prosecutors told the court that Anthony threatened Metcalf before stabbing him during a dispute at the athletics event.
They said witness statements supported the claim that Anthony acted as the aggressor. However, the defence argued that Anthony acted in self-defence during the confrontation.
The incident took place at a secondary school track meet involving rival schools. Police reports said the conflict started as a disagreement that quickly turned violent. The two students did not attend the same school and had no prior connection.
During the trial, prosecutors presented nearly two dozen witnesses, including eye witnesses and medical experts.
A medical examiner described the injury as a deep chest wound that reached the heart. Defence lawyers also called witnesses, including students and a coach, who spoke about Anthony good academic record and behavior.
The jury reached its decision in less than three hours. Under Texas law, Anthony was tried as an adult, even though he was 17 at the time of the incident. The death penalty was not considered in the case due to his age.
After the verdict, a civil rights group supporting Anthony raised concerns that no Black jurors were part of the panel.
The local school district said the community continues to feel the impact of the tragedy and urged people to remain respectful and supportive.
