Karmelo Anthony’s lawyer says fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf could have been ‘self defense’

Anthony has been held in the Collin County jail since the Wednesday stabbing. His attorney, Deric Walpole, met with Anthony in jail and told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth that he currently believes his client acted in self-defense.

“I know that my client said it was self defense. I don’t have any reason to disbelieve that, but I need to develop facts, talk to people, and figure out what’s going on before I make any statements about what I think happened,” Walpole said. “I don’t have any reason to think it wasn’t self defense at this time.”

Walpole has also requested a bond hearing for next week in hopes of lowering Anthony’s bond and raising the possibility of a pretrial release.

According to police, the stabbing happened after an altercation between the two teens at the meet, during a rain delay. Anthony had reportedly been sitting under the wrong school tent when Metcalf asked him to move. When Anthony refused, a witness said he reached into his bag and told Metcalf, “Touch me and see what happens.”

Shortly after, Metcalf “grabbed Anthony to tell him to move and Anthony pulled out … a black knife and stabbed Austin once in the chest,” according to police. After he was stabbed, Metcalf’s twin brother, Hunter, tried to save him but was unable to.

“I put my hand on [his chest], tried to make [the bleeding] stop, and I grabbed his head and I looked in his eyes. I just saw his soul leave. And it took my soul, too,” Hunter told Fox News.

Anthony fled the scene but was later arrested. He admitted to stabbing Metcalf, reportedly telling police, “I’m not alleged, I did it,” and claiming he was “protecting” himself because Metcalf “put his hands” on him.