MCKINNEY, Texas — The high school track and football coach of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf broke down in tears on the witness stand Thursday as he described the horrifying moments after the teen was fatally stabbed in the chest during a track meet last year.
Frisco coach Robert Starr testified on the first day of the murder trial against Karmelo Anthony, now 19, who is accused of stabbing Metcalf with a foldable knife following a dispute over team tent space at Kuykendall Stadium on April 2, 2025.
Starr told jurors he saw a commotion and rushed over to find Metcalf on the ground. “His face is purple, and he has a big hole in his chest,” he said, according to NBC 5. Metcalf’s family wept openly in the Collin County courtroom as the coach recounted the scene.
The coach sobbed as he described trainers attempting to revive Metcalf. Metcalf’s twin brother Hunter pleaded with Starr to “do something” while pointing toward Anthony. When Starr approached Anthony, others urged him to leave. Upon returning, Starr said everyone was praying. “I just knew Austin was gone,” he testified.
The next day, Starr sent a heartfelt text to Metcalf: “I love you man. Sorry I didn’t say enough,” which was shown to the jury and brought Metcalf’s father to tears.
According to testimony, Anthony — a discus and shot put thrower who had been tasked with helping set up equipment — was asked by Metcalf to move from under the Frisco Memorial High School team tent. The pair allegedly shoved each other before the stabbing.
Anthony claims self-defense, with his attorney arguing that the much larger Metcalf initiated physical contact. Prosecutors counter that Anthony ditched the knife and tried to flee, calling the act “senseless.”
Another coach, Vincent Hooper, testified that he restrained Anthony, who told him, “He put his hands on me. I stabbed him.” When warned that the stabbing could change his life if Metcalf died, Anthony reportedly replied that he wouldn’t die — before breaking down in tears. The two later hugged.
Athletic trainer Tiffany Whiteaker described performing CPR and the brief false hope when color returned to Metcalf’s face after a transfusion — only for it to fade upon seeing the chest wound.
Anthony has pleaded not guilty and faces up to life in prison if convicted. The trial is ongoing.
