Claims
Factual assertions linked to sources. Status labels reflect verification level — not legal conclusions.
Anthony told Metcalf "touch me and find out" during their verbal confrontation, before the physical push and stabbing.
Anthony had one hand inside his backpack during the confrontation, and nearby students believed he was "bluffing" rather than about to produce a weapon.
Metcalf leaned in and pushed Anthony; Anthony then stabbed Metcalf during or immediately after that push.
Witnesses reported not seeing the knife before or during the stabbing; the knife's identity was only learned after Anthony threw an object into the bleachers.
No Black jurors were seated on the jury; two Black potential jurors were struck during selection, which the judge found were removed for race-neutral reasons related to their occupations as educators.
The jury rejected a "sudden passion" finding at the punishment phase, which would have reduced the offense to a second-degree felony (2-20 years) instead of the murder sentencing range actually applied.
The jury also rejected a lesser-included manslaughter charge before convicting on murder.
A witness testified he warned Metcalf "don't touch him" because he believed Anthony had something in his backpack, before Metcalf made contact with Anthony.