A Texas judge has denied Karmelo Anthony’s request for a new trial in the murder of Austin Metcalf, a 17-year-old athlete killed during a high school track meet in April 2025. Collin County District Judge Michael Chitty issued the decision on August 22, rejecting Anthony’s motion after a two-day hearing this week.
Anthony, 19, was convicted of first-degree murder in June and sentenced to 35 years in prison for the stabbing death of Metcalf. The altercation occurred when Anthony, a student at Centennial High School, refused to leave a section of bleachers occupied by Memorial High School’s team. Prosecutors argued the killing was intentional, while Anthony’s defense claimed self-defense.
Judge Rejects Defense Arguments
Chitty’s order did not provide detailed reasoning but cited a review of evidence and arguments presented during the hearing. The judge’s decision follows testimony from Anthony’s former attorneys, who alleged procedural violations, including strict courtroom rules and an unwritten agreement with prosecutors that limited the introduction of character evidence.
Anthony’s legal team, led by attorney Russell Wilson, has indicated plans to appeal the decision. Prosecutors, including Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis, stated they expected the ruling and remain confident in the trial’s fairness. Willis emphasized that the jury’s verdict stands and that every defendant retains the right to appeal.
Key Legal Disputes Surface
The retrial motion hearing revealed tensions over the handling of Anthony’s testimony. Former defense attorney Mike Howard testified that an oral agreement with prosecutors would allow Anthony to testify if he focused solely on the confrontation at the track meet. However, prosecutors later informed the defense that the agreement would not apply if Anthony took the stand, leading to concerns about the trial’s procedural integrity.
Additionally, Anthony’s attorneys argued that Judge John Roach, who presided over the original trial, should have been recused due to perceived bias. This claim was bolstered by Roach’s post-trial public comments stating the jury “got it right,” which visiting Judge Sid Harle ruled could reasonably lead an outside observer to question Roach’s impartiality. Harle subsequently removed Roach from further proceedings in the case.
Broader Context and Public Reaction
The case has drawn national attention, in part due to social media amplification that framed the killing in racial terms. Anthony is Black, while Metcalf was white. Both sides emphasized during the trial that the case was not racially motivated, though the Collin County NAACP raised concerns about the exclusion of Black jurors during jury selection, arguing it undermined the fairness of the proceedings.
The Metcalf family has faced harassment online following the trial, while Anthony’s supporters have continued to challenge the conviction. The defense’s appeal will now proceed, with Wilson stating the team remains committed to advocating for Anthony through every legal avenue available.