As testimony in the Karmelo Anthony murder trial resumes Monday, one Texas attorney says the case could ultimately turn less on the fatal confrontation itself and more on how jurors interpret questions of self-defense, race, any prior interactions between the teens and even the unique culture of high school track meets.Anthony, who is accused of fatally stabbing fellow student Austin Metcalf during a confrontation at a Texas track meet last year, has pleaded not guilty and is arguing he acted in self-defense.The closely watched trial began last week amid intense public scrutiny and debate surrounding the case.Prosecutors rested their case on Saturday after calling 21 witnesses.
Anthony's defense moved for a directed verdict, but the judge denied the motion.His team called three witnesses Saturday, with testimony resuming Monday.Larry Taylor, a former Texas prosecutor and longtime criminal defense attorney, told Fox News Digital that jurors will be tasked with evaluating far more than the physical evidence.WITNESSES IN KARMELO ANTHONY MURDER TRIAL CONFIRM AUSTIN METCALF'S WORDS IMMEDIATELY AFTER ATTACKDefense attorney Mike Howard delivers opening statements during Karmelo Anthony's murder trial in a courtroom sketch from the Collin County courthouse.
(Pat Lopez)"When it comes down to an issue like this, I'm pretty sure the guys are looking at, OK, what was the situation? Was he really in danger? Was he really fearful? Why did he have a knife? Why didn't he just get up and leave?" Taylor said.Taylor noted that Texas self-defense laws could become a critical factor at trial."Did Karmelo really have a duty or obligation to retreat if he was being attacked?" he said."It's happening in Texas.
Are we not a stand-your-ground state?"KARMELO ANTHONY’S SELF-DEFENSE CLAIM COULD DEFINE MURDER TRIAL IN HIGH SCHOOL TRACK MEET STABBING: ANALYSTThe attorney also suggested race could become an unavoidable topic throughout the proceedings, particularly given the intense public de...