Collin County hearing presents new texts in Karmelo Anthony appeal trial

A Collin County, Texas, court heard startling new allegations Wednesday about convicted murderer Karmelo Anthony’s state of mind on the day he killed 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, with prosecutors revealing text messages in which Anthony expressed violent fantasies and a prior report that he was stalking an ex-girlfriend. The evidence was presented during a hearing on Anthony’s motion for a new trial, months after he was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the 2025 murder.

Collin County Assistant District Attorney Bill Wirskye told the court that on the morning of April 2, 2025, Anthony’s former girlfriend, Valeria Perez, went to school officials to report that she had broken up with him and that he was stalking her. Approximately one hour later, Metcalf, a standout student-athlete, was fatally stabbed under a team tent at David Kuykendall Stadium during a Frisco high school track meet. Anthony, then 17, was convicted of first-degree murder in June following a trial where his self-defense claim was rejected by the jury.

Prosecutors introduced previously unseen text messages from the morning of the stabbing as part of a “404 motion,” which deals with character evidence. One message...