Karmelo Anthony Denied New Trial as Appeal Moves Forward
Karmelo Anthony will not receive a new trial, at least for now, after a Texas judge rejected his attempt to overturn his murder conviction in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf.
Retired District Judge Michael Chitty denied Anthony’s motion Saturday following two days of testimony in Colin County. According to KERA reporter Caroline Love, Chitty’s brief order did not provide a detailed explanation, stating that he reached the decision after reviewing the motion, evidence, arguments and applicable law.
Anthony, 19, was convicted in June and sentenced to 35 years in prison for killing Metcalf during an April 2025 high-school track meet in Frisco. Anthony admitted stabbing Metcalf but maintained he acted in self-defense during a confrontation under a team tent. Jurors ultimately rejected the argument.
His new attorneys argued that problems surrounding an informal agreement between prosecutors and Anthony’s original legal team prevented him from presenting a complete defense. The arrangement was intended to keep potentially damaging character evidence about both teenagers away from jurors. Anthony’s appellate team contended that a dispute over the agreement contributed to his decision not to testify.
The defense previously won another significant ruling when original trial Judge John Roach Jr. was removed from post-trial proceedings. An outside judge determined Roach’s public comments following the conviction could cause a reasonable person to question his impartiality.
Anthony’s case now moves to the Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas, according to exclusive coverage from The Dallas Morning News. His attorneys can challenge alleged legal errors from the original trial and post-trial proceedings.
Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said his office remains confident in the process, while appellate attorney Russell Wilson said Anthony’s team will continue pursuing every lawful avenue available. They will now have to convince a new panel of judges that errors in his original trial were serous enough to warrant another chance in court.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI.
