Witness testimony underway in the first degree m*rder trial of Karmelo Anthony as powerful testimony was heard by state witness Coach Rob Starr.
Starr is the head track coach at Memorial High School where Austin Metcalf went to school – and during his testimony Austin’s dad Jeff, along with numerous people in the gallery – were crying.
Starr testified that the team tent was a big deal to the student athletes, it was special. It had the school’s name on it, their logo – and it was understood that kids do not go into the tents of other schools.
“It is a big deal to keep people out from underneath your tent’ he said, adding that “the tent is a safe area for your team.”
Starr also said that the student athletes keep their valuables and all their belongings under the tent, and sometimes a coach is assigned to stay in the tent to keep an eye on the kid’s belongings.
Starr laid out what happened that day – saying he knew he was going to be busy running the track meet, so he asked Austin if he could help out by being a leader and helping to run the event – which most likely includes keeping an eye on the team tent.
Starr said he was at the concession stand across the field when he saw something going on under his team tent – so he ran back across the field.
While crying Starr said
“What I do see is Austin on the ground and his face is purple and he has a big hole in his chest”
Starr said that Hunter pointed at Anthony and asked Starr to do something, so Starr walked up to Anthony – who was walking very calmly with his coaches – and asked him what happened.
Starr ran back to Austin and coaches were around him praying, while Hunter, Austin’s twin brother was hysterical.
Starr, sobbing while remembering the story said
“I jumped the gate and I went to Hunter, and he was hysterical. I just knelt down and I just prayed with him.”
“I just knew Austin was gone”
Before Starr’s emotional testimony, the jury got to see the video from the stadium – and despite the claims made by the Anthony team that the video definitely shows that Anthony was being bullied and acted only after the Metcalfs attacked him – it’s not clear enough to really see the details.
It’s the same footage that media outlets were allowed to view with restricted access last year.
The footage is from a stationary camera across the field.
When zoomed, it becomes heavily pixelated and grainy, making it difficult to identify the faces under the he Memorial High School tent
It shows activity but does not clearly capture Anthony being attacked beforehand.
The state’s video analysis expert was asked about the video “You really can’t tell what people are doing under the tent, can you?”
The expert answered, “Yes, sir.”
The follow up question “There’s really no way to determine when an argument starts or stops, is there?”
The expert replied, “No, sir.”
This admission undercuts the Anthony team’s assertion that the video would clearly prove that he acted in self defense.
This footage contradicts claims from Anthony’s side that there was clear video proving Anthony faced a threat on his life, making him react with deadly force.
Supporters insisted the footage would vindicate Anthony as acting in self-defense but it did not. Witnesses did however state that Metcalf was enforcing team space during the rain delay at the track meet.
Prosecutors have described the quick movements as Metcalf pushing Anthony to get him out of the tent. Anthony then stabbed Metcalf and took off.
If convicted, Anthony faces five to 99 years or life in prison. The Metcalfs are already facing life without their son, and twin brother.
