Karmelo Anthony may get offered LIGHTER charge as murder trial over stabbing of Austin Metcalf draws to a close: Live updates

By KATRINA SCHOLLENBERGER, US HEAD OF LIVE NEWS and MARYANN MARTINEZ, US TEXAS BUREAU CHIEF Karmelo Anthony's attorneys may ask the judge to allow jurors to consider manslaughter instead of first degree murder charges in the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf. Under Texas law, a murder conviction requires proof that a defendant intended to cause death or serious bodily injury. Manslaughter, by contrast, applies when a person recklessly causes someone's death without the intent to kill. Manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, while a murder conviction could put Anthony, 19, in jail for life.  Closing arguments will begin this morning after several days of highly emotional testimony from student athletes, investigators and a medical examiner.  Following final words from each side, the jury will be sequestered, meaning they will be isolated from the outside world and cut off from communication and media access while they make a decision on the teen killer's fate. The defense rested its case yesterday after calling just six witnesses to the stand including Anthony's coach, four students who were at the stadium the day of the stabbing, and a cop. However, the defense began to fall apart after a student walked back claims that Anthony had been surrounded by a group of students when he fatally stabbed Metcalf. Anthony, who was 17 at the time, killed Metcalf with a folding knife following a dispute over seating at a track meet in Frisco, Texas, in April 2025.   Anthony has admitted to stabbing the high school football star, but insisted it was in self-defense after Metcalf had provoked him. The 19-year-old opted not to take the stand in his trial before defense lawyers rested their case.  Follow the Daily Mail for more updates...  A court spokesperson told the Daily Mail on Tuesday morning that Karmelo Anthony's attorneys could ask the judge to consider manslaughter in charging document that the jury will be given today. Under Texas law, murder requires proof that a defendant intended to cause death or serious bodily injury. Manslaughter, by contrast, applies when a person recklessly causes someone's death without intending to kill. In Texas, a manslaughter conviction is punishable by two to 20 years in prison. Anthony, who is 19, is currently facing first degree murder charges and between five years to life in prison if convicted. Karmelo Anthony's extended family were spotted holding hands in a circle and praying ahead of closing arguments this morning in the teen's murder trial. Anthony's family traveled to Collin County to be present for the two week trial. More of his family members were expected to be present to support, but both the Metcalf and Anthony families were permitted only fifteen family members each in court. There are 72 people sat in the audience total in court today. Dominque Alexander, the founder of the activist group Next Generation Action Network and a previous spokesperson for Karmelo Anthony's family, gave a press conference outside the courthouse during Monday's lunch break. 'People have traveled from all across this country, and we thank you for that. But we remain to continue to ask you to do it in revolutionary peace. Do it as if your child was fighting for his life right now,' he said. 'Please, please. What we've seen, it seems like more attention has been given on what's going on outside the court than what is going on in the court, and I have to say something.' It was just after 10am on April 2, 2025, during what should have been a typical high school track meet at David Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Students were warming up and stretching, patiently waiting for the competition to resume after a paused due to heavy rain. Spectators and some students took cover under a tent in the bleachers of Memorial High School. The atmosphere was calm and uneventful - until it suddenly turned to bloodshed. In a matter of seconds, then-17-year-old Karmelo Anthony fatally stabbed 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, transforming a rain delay into a crime scene. The Daily Mail was one of only two news organizations granted access to surveillance footage of the deadly incident - a killing that shocked the nation and ignited debates about race, privilege and the criminal justice system. The jury will return in court this morning after being dismissed on Monday afternoon. 'I'm not going to rush you, so we'll just play it by ear tomorrow,' the judge told the jury. He instructed jurors to go home but not to discuss the case and not to go on social media. They will be sequestered after closing arguments tomorrow. 'Don't get on social media, they don't know what the heck they're talking about,' Judge Roach said. No comments have so far been submitted. 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