▲ Collin County Courthouse, where the verdict was delivered
A teenager has been found guilty in court for stabbing and killing a rival team athlete at a track and field meet in the U.S. state of Texas.
The New York Times (NYT) and CNN reported on June 9 (local time) that a jury at the Collin County Courthouse in Texas reached a unanimous guilty verdict against Carmelo Anthony, 19, for the murder of Austin Metcalf.
Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
According to police reports and closing arguments, Anthony brandished a weapon at Metcalf, a student from another school, during a track meet at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas, last April, following a verbal altercation.
On the day of the incident, Anthony was sitting in the tent of the Memorial High School team, one of the competing teams. A confrontation began when Metcalf, then 17, and other students told him to leave.
Anthony reached into his bag and said, "Touch me and see what happens." When Metcalf pushed him, Anthony pulled out a weapon and stabbed him once in the chest.
The victim died at the scene as a result of the attack.
At the time, both Anthony and Metcalf were from Frisco, but it was reported that they did not know each other personally.
The case drew national attention as it escalated into concerns over racial conflict, particularly because Anthony is Black and Metcalf was white.
While Anthony's defense attorney argued that the act was in self-defense, the prosecution pointed out that "being pushed does not justify stabbing someone with a knife."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.