A Texas judge has been removed from the case of Karmelo Anthony, who is seeking a new trial after being sentenced to 35 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet in April 2025. Judge John Roach, who presided over Anthony’s murder trial, was recused from further proceedings on August 19 following a motion by Anthony’s defense team.
On August 20, a new judge will be assigned to preside over a hearing to determine whether Anthony’s case will be reheard. The decision to remove Judge Roach came after Anthony’s attorneys argued that his public comments following the verdict and strict enforcement of courtroom rules created an appearance of bias. The defense also contended that the judge’s instructions to the jury were incomplete.
Anthony, now 19, was convicted of first-degree murder in June after a jury rejected his claims of self-defense. The trial lasted nearly a week, and jurors deliberated for less than three hours before delivering the verdict. Prosecutors stated that Anthony fatally stabbed Metcalf, a 17-year-old white athlete, during an altercation at a Frisco, Texas, track meet. Anthony did not testify during the trial.
Jury Selection and Racial Concerns
Anthony’s defense team has raised concerns about the jury selection process, noting that prosecutors struck all African American jurors from the pool. Prosecutors justified this by stating that the three black prospective jurors were educators, and the case involved young students. The defense argued that this amounted to racial discrimination in jury selection. The trial judge, however, ruled that the prosecution used race-neutral means to strike those jurors.
Public and Legal Reactions
The case has drawn significant public attention, partly due to social media amplification and the racial backgrounds of the defendant and victim. Both sides in the trial emphasized that the incident was not racially motivated. Anthony’s supporters cheered outside the courthouse following the order to remove Judge Roach, while Metcalf’s family has not publicly commented on the latest developments.
Next Steps
A new judge will be assigned to preside over Thursday’s hearing, where Anthony’s legal team will formally request a retrial. The outcome of this hearing could determine whether Anthony receives a new trial or remains incarcerated under his current sentence. The case continues to unfold under heightened security at the Collin County courthouse.