A Texas judge has denied Karmelo Anthony's request for a new trial, leaving his conviction for a fatal stabbing and his 35-year prison sentence intact. The decision by Retired District Judge Michael Chitty came after Anthony's attorneys argued that courtroom restrictions, hearings held without his presence, and a dispute over an alleged agreement between his former lawyers and prosecutors violated his rights.
Chitty reviewed the case's filings, evidence, and arguments before issuing the denial, with the order not detailing the judge's specific reasoning. Anthony's case will now proceed on direct appeal. The Collin County District Attorney's office stated it anticipated the decision and remains confident in the conviction.
Dispute Over Defense Agreement
Central to the motion for a new trial was an alleged oral agreement between Anthony's original defense attorneys and prosecutors. This agreement was intended to prevent potentially damaging character evidence from being presented to the jury by either side. Former lead defense attorney Mike Howard testified that he understood the agreement to permit Anthony to testify if he remained focused on the confrontation at the track meet. However, on the final day of the trial, prosecutors reportedly informed the defense that the agreement would not apply if Anthony took the stand, as the defense had opened the door to character evidence.
Howard testified that this led to a contentious break in proceedings and made Anthony unwilling to testify. Under cross-examination, Howard conceded that the lawyers never explicitly agreed on whether a testifying defendant was covered by the arrangement and could not confirm if prosecutors acted in bad faith. Another former defense attorney, Toby Shook, provided similar testimony, stating that the defense team believed Anthony's testimony regarding his self-defense claim was covered by the agreement. He expressed surprise at the prosecution's stance, as the defense had anticipated Anthony would testify.
Prosecutors, however, disputed that the agreement was broken. Lead prosecutor Bill Wirskye stated that the specifics of the agreement concerning Anthony's testimony were never discussed and that prosecutors remained willing to honor it. The state had concerns that testimony from Anthony or his mother could inadvertently allow character evidence to be introduced.
Other Claims Considered
Chitty also considered claims that restrictions on courtroom access infringed upon Anthony's Sixth Amendment right to a public trial. Additionally, arguments were made that jury instructions improperly limited the jury's ability to consider self-defense.
Anthony, 19, was convicted in June of stabbing and killing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during an altercation at a Frisco, Texas, track meet. A Collin County jury sentenced him to 35 years in prison. [