A Collin County jury convicted Karmelo Anthony, now 19, of murder for the April 2025 stabbing death of a 17-year-old student athlete during a track meet in Frisco. The verdict followed a trial where Anthony asserted self-defense. Jurors sentenced him to 35 years in prison, with parole eligibility after roughly 17 years. Anthony’s attorneys have filed a notice of appeal.
Collin County Assistant District Attorney Dewey Mitchell, who worked alongside veteran prosecutor Bill Wirskye, shared reflections on the case. Mitchell emphasized the tragedy of losing two young lives and noted that the jury was not all-white, citing the presence of Asian, Muslim, and Afro-Latino members. He also clarified that witnesses represented a cross-section of the community, including students from schools other than Memorial and Centennial.
During sentencing, prosecutors did not request a specific term, asking only for a lengthy prison sentence. Mitchell stated the goal was to encourage jurors to consider their role as community representatives rather than seeking vengeance or leniency. The jury reached its unanimous decision in under three hours. Mitchell observed that criticism from both sides regarding the sentence length suggests the jurors arrived at a measured outcome, and he expressed hope that the community can now begin to heal.