A Texas judge is scheduled to hear arguments on Thursday concerning Karmelo Anthony's plea for a new trial, two months after he was convicted and sentenced to 35 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of a fellow student at a high school track meet.
The hearing follows the removal of the Collin County judge who presided over Anthony's murder trial from further proceedings in the case.
Prosecutors characterized the stabbing as "unjustified" and "plain and simple murder," while the defense contended that Anthony acted in self-defense when he stabbed 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a track meet in Frisco in April 2025. Anthony, 19, was found guilty of murder by a Collin County jury on June 9 after three hours of deliberation. The same jury deliberated for several more hours before sentencing him to 35 years in prison.
Anthony's attorneys filed a motion seeking a new trial, alleging that the teenager was "coerced" into waiving his right to testify. They claim this coercion stemmed from a dispute between defense attorneys and prosecutors regarding whether his testimony would be protected by an agreement that limited some character evidence presented during the trial, thereby denying him a "complete defense."
The defense also raised concerns about alleged improper jury instructions from Collin County Judge John Roach and asserted that courtroom restrictions he imposed, which limited public access, denied Anthony a fair trial.
In response to the defense's motion, Collin County First Assistant District Attorney Bill Wirskye stated that Anthony's new attorneys had "filed a motion containing several inaccurate characterizations of the trial proceedings." Wirskye added, "I and the entire prosecution team conducted this trial ethically and in full compliance with the Court's ruling and any agreements with defense counsel."
A new judge, retired Kaufman County District Judge Michael Chitty, has been assigned to oversee the case after Judge Sid Harle granted the defense's motion to recuse Roach. Harle's order on Wednesday noted that "the evidence adduced at the hearing is such that the respondent judge's impartiality might reasonably be questioned."
The defense motion to recuse Roach from post-trial proceedings cited what it described as "problematic comments" made by Roach in an interview following the verdict, during which he reportedly "endorsed the jury's guilty verdict" and defended his courtroom restrictions. The motion also referenced a public letter Roach released after the trial, stating that those involved in the case "contributed to ensuring the process was conducted fairly."
Anthony's attorneys expressed satisfaction with Harle's decision to recuse Roach, stating, "We look forward to presenting the merits of Karmelo's motion for a new trial to a fair and independent judge."
Prior to the trial, Roach had implemented a gag order and prohibited electronics in the courtroom due to the significant public and media interest the case attracted. An order issued in May by Roach stated, "Due to the significant public and media interest in this case, the Court finds that specific procedures are necessary to ensure the Defendant's right to a fair and impartial trial, the orderly administration of justice, the safety and security of all participants, and reasonable public access consistent with constitutional requirements."
On Wednesday, Chitty ordered that these trial procedures will remain in effect for future proceedings in the case.