Arabic version: مراهق من تكساس يتلقى حكمًا بالسجن 35 عامًا بتهمة طعن زميله

A Texas teenager, Karmelo Anthony, has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for the murder of fellow student Austin Metcalf during a high school athletics event in Frisco, Texas, on 2 April 2025. The case garnered significant national attention, highlighting issues of self-defense and school safety.

According to BBC News, both Anthony and Metcalf were 17 years old at the time of the incident. Prosecutors argued that Anthony had threatened Metcalf before fatally stabbing him, while the defense claimed he acted in self-defense. The jury found Anthony guilty in less than three hours.

The trial included nearly two dozen witnesses, with emotional testimonies from medical experts and students. The prosecution presented evidence that portrayed Anthony as the aggressor, while the defense highlighted his academic achievements, including a 4.0 GPA and a nomination for team captain.

Despite the option for a manslaughter charge, which could have resulted in a lighter sentence of up to 20 years, the jury opted for a murder conviction. The Frisco School District expressed condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and emphasized the need for community support following the verdict.