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Opening statements are expected to begin Thursday in the murder trial of Carmelo Anthony in Texas after a non-Black jury was appointed in the case that sparked racial tension and drew national attention.
Anthony, who is black, is charged with manslaughter for killing high school student Austin Metcalf, who is white, at a Frisco track meet in April 2025 and maintains that he acted in self-defense. Both were 17 years old at the time.
Judge John Roach Jr. spent the first few days of the trial this week overseeing jury selection as attorneys work to identify jurors who can best consider the case that has sparked media coverage, social media debate and competing news stories since the deadly brawl.
A 12-person jury was seated Wednesday. None of them are black, FOX 4 reported. The prosecutor noted during jury selection that he had never discussed race with the judge, according to the statement.
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Carmelo Anthony, 17, has been arrested and charged with the stabbing death of Texas star Austin Metcalf. (FOX 4)
According to court reports from FOX 4 Dallas, Anthony appeared in court Wednesday wearing a suit and tie and a purple shirt, which is a color often worn by his fans when he appears in court. The newspaper reported that the 18-year-old boy’s hair appeared to be much longer than before and that he remained strong during the trial.
The case has drawn public attention since Metcalf’s death, sparking online campaigns, public protests and heated debate on social media. Supporters of both Anthony and Metcalf have been publicly outraged, while lawyers and attorneys connected to the case have repeatedly urged the public not to judge the outcome before all the evidence is presented in court.
Texas defense attorney and legal analyst Jeremy Rosenthal previously told Fox News Digital that one of the biggest challenges facing both sides is finding jurors who can set aside disclosures in the case.
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Austin Metcalf, 17, was stabbed to death at a Texas convention. (Jeff Metcalf)
“This case in particular has a disturbing history when it comes to online lies, rumors, doxing, things like that,” Rosenthal said before the trial.
Rosenthal said widespread attention to the case could complicate efforts to identify jurors who have not formed opinions based on what they saw online or in the news.
With opening statements expected to begin, attention will now shift to how prosecutors and defense attorneys orchestrate the deadly encounter and the defense’s potential mid-trial claim.
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“The defense is a really complex defense that you have to plan,” Rosenthal previously told Fox News Digital.
Demonstrators show support for Austin Metcalf outside the Collin County Courthouse in McKinney, Texas, on the first day of jury selection in the Carmelo Anthony trial on June 1, 2026. (Derek Shook of Fox News Digital)
Under Texas law, the defense is considered what attorneys call a “confession and avoidance” defense, meaning the defendant admits to the conduct but disputes that it was legally authorized under the circumstances.
“The bottom line is you can’t provoke damage and retreat behind the defense,” Rosenthal said.
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A district court official previously confirmed to Fox News Digital that three people were removed from court after trying to take pictures or video. Taking pictures is prohibited under a court order that applies to all court proceedings.
Anthony’s lawyer, Mike Howard, has maintained that the full circumstances of the dispute are yet to be heard in court.
Protesters show support for Carmelo Anthony outside the Collin County Courthouse in McKinney, Texas, on the first day of jury selection in his trial on June 1, 2026. (Derek Shook of Fox News Digital)
“We expect that when the full case is heard, the prosecutors will not be able to remove reasonable doubt that Carmelo Anthony may have been defending himself,” Howard said after Anthony’s indictment.
Prosecutors are expected to call about 35 witnesses during the trial, which could last two weeks. Roach also placed a gag order barring public comment from attorneys, witnesses, investigators and others directly involved in the case.
Anthony was indicted by a Collin County grand jury after prosecutors presented evidence related to the deadly collision that occurred during a rally at Frisco’s Kuykendall Stadium on April 2, 2025.
According to the arrest report, the altercation took place inside the Memorial High School team tent during the rain. Investigators allege Anthony warned Metcalf, “Touch me and see what happens,” before reaching into a bag and pulling out a knife.
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Witnesses told police that Anthony stabbed Metcalf in the chest during the encounter. Metcalf later died from his injuries.
Suspected killer Carmelo Anthony is out of jail after posting bond. (KDFW)
According to the police report, Anthony told police he was acting in self-defense. Detectives also reported that Anthony made a spontaneous statement after being arrested, telling police, “I’m not accused, I did it.”
The case quickly became a national headline, fueled by widespread comments on social media, allegations of misinformation, public protests and intense debate over the circumstances surrounding the deadly incident.
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If convicted of murder, Anthony faces five years to life in prison under Texas law.
Fox News Digital’s Peter D’Abrosca contributed to this report.
