Karmelo Anthony's parents seen leaving the courtroom in tears just before son's defense team pulls shock move in self-defense claim

By MARYANN MARTINEZ, US TEXAS BUREAU CHIEF Published: 23:28, 8 June 2026 | Updated: 23:35, 8 June 2026 Karmelo Anthony's parents were seen leaving the courtroom in tears just before his lawyers pulled a shock move in the high-profile Texas trial Monday.  The dramatic exit came after a week testimony by the witnesses the defense put on the stand, including one who retracted previous statements, a second who didn't know much about what had happened in the case and a third who was forced to appear before the court through a subpoena.  Anthony, 19, has been charged with murder for fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a track meet in in Frisco, Texas, in April 2025. The black teen has admitted to stabbing the white teen in the chest, but claims he did so in self-defense after Metcalf, a Memorial High School student confronted Anthony, a student at Centennial High School, over why he was sitting under their team tent and asked him to leave at least 15 times. At least 10 teenagers, including some who testified for the defense who were at the track meet and witnessed the killing, claim they saw Anthony pull a knife as Metcalf was moving in to the push Anthony. There was speculation Monday, that Anthony himself might take the stand in his own defense, however that never happened. After a lunch break Monday, followed by a nearly two-hour delay, Anthony's parents were summoned into the courtroom, according to two courtroom sources who spoke to Daily Mail anonymously.  The suspect’s parents were seen leaving the court in tears after they were allowed to have a private visit with their son.  This happened while court was delayed for over two hours after lunch. It was not clear why they were crying or what was said during that private chat. However, both mom and dad went into the courtroom together.  Karmelo Anthony seen in a jail booking photo when he was arrested for the murder of Austin Metcalf in April 2025 in Frisco, Texas Austin Metcalf was stabbed in the heart by a folding knife Karmelo Anthony had been hiding in a bookbag during a high school track meet The mom then came out of the courtroom alone and sobbing. She was escorted to the restroom by security.  Later, the dad came out to take a break and also had tears in his eyes. This account was confirmed by both a staffer and a Karmelo Anthony supporter with court room access.  The supporter says he feels like things are not going to work out for Anthony based on the parent’s reactions. Instead, the defense came back after hearing from only six witnesses including one who said he misspoke when told local investigators he saw Anthony surrounded by other kids. The teen, who the court asked us not to identify, previously made statements that he saw Anthony being ganged up on. Today, he told a different story after seeing surveillance video of the stabbing.  'I don't want to phrase it as "surrounding,"' the teen stated during cross-examination.  Parents of Karmelo Anthony, Kala Hayes and Drew Anthony, speak at a news conference about being harassed after their son's arrest on April 17, 2025 A courtroom sketch shows the district attorney pointing at Karmelo Anthony, center, at the defense table in opening arguments Thursday, June 4, 2026, in McKinney, Texas, during the trial of a teen accused of fatally stabbing another during a track meet in suburban Dallas last year. (Pat Lopez via AP) Minister Dominique Alexander with Karmelo Anthony after he was released from prison Austin Metcalf, a junior at Frisco ISD's Memorial High School, and is pictured here with his twin, Hunter After lunch, when everyone returned to the courtroom, the defense closed out its case. The state also said it would call no more witnesses. 'All right, ladies and gentlemen, what that means, you've heard all the evidence you're gonna hear in this case,' Judge John Roach told the jury. The judge instructed jurors to come home and pack and return ready to hearing closing arguments Tuesday morning and deliberate.  The 12 jurors plus 6 alternates will also be sequestered as of tomorrow.  Once the case is handed over to the jury on Tuesday, they will decide whether Anthony is guilty or not guilty. If they find him guilty, the trial will move to a second phase to determine punishment. 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