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Defense Rests in Karmelo Anthony Trial as Case Moves to Closing Arguments

With Anthony declining to testify the jury will weigh medical, surveillance and eyewitness evidence before beginning deliberations under a sequester order.

Overview

  • The defense rested its case on Monday after calling witnesses and the 19-year-old defendant chose not to testify, setting the stage for closing arguments on Tuesday.
  • Collin County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Elizabeth Ventura testified that Austin Metcalf died from a two-inch chest stab wound that penetrated the sac around his heart and the right ventricle and called the wound not survivable.
  • Prosecutors presented about 21 witnesses plus body‑camera and stadium video that prosecutors say show Anthony provoked a confrontation, while defense witnesses offered testimony that highlighted crowding, physical differences and inconsistent accounts.
  • Graphic autopsy photos shown in court visibly affected jurors and Metcalf’s family and several defense witnesses conceded details that undercut parts of the self‑defense narrative.
  • Judge John Roach Jr. ordered jurors sequestered at a hotel with no phone or TV access before deliberations and a conviction could carry between five years and life in prison under Texas law.