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Move on now to the verdict in Texas late today. An emotionally charged murder trial sharply dividing a community just outside Dallas. A teenager convicted fatally stabbing a rival high school athlete during a track meet. How the community is responding tonight. ABC's John Canyon is in Texas. Tonight, raw emotion and tensions running high outside this Texas courthouse as word of the verdict reached the crowd. After deliberating for less than three hours, the jury found the 19-year-old Carmelo Anthony guilty of murder in the stabbing death of 17-year-old Austin Medaf, an athlete from a rival track team.
Both families became pretty emotional. Um, they were holding it in as best they could, but you could hear um emotions just on both sides and you could see relief and some of the Metaf family rubbing each other's backs. Prosecutors called it murder, plain and simple, telling the jury, "You can meet a shove with a shove." But they argued, "You don't get to meet a shove with a stab." Anthony never testified, and the jury rejected his claim of self-defense. The case fueling a debate over race and deeply dividing this community. It all started at a rainy track meet last year when Anthony walked under a tent belonging to Medcaf's team. After
Anthony was repeatedly asked to leave, Medcaf pushed him. Anthony pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the chest. Medcaf died in the arms of his twin brother. Anthony, class of 2025. Both teens were promising students and athletes. It's a crazy situation. You know, either way it go, there's no win in this. Late today, Carmelo Anthony in tears as his mother took the stand, pleading with the jury to have mercy on her son, telling them her son is remorseful. And just a short time ago, Anthony sentenced to 35 years in prison. and Lindsay. Tonight, the school district issued a statement saying they've carried the weight of this tragedy for more than a year, and
they're asking the community to support each other with respect, sensitivity, and understanding. Lindsay, John, thank
