Karmelo Anthony Appeals Murder Conviction, Seeks New Judge and Trial

Attorneys for Karmelo Anthony, who was convicted of murdering Austin Metcalf, are seeking a new trial and have requested that the case be overseen by a different judge. The defense team filed court motions Tuesday arguing that Anthony's constitutional rights were violated during his initial trial, which they claim was not fully accessible to the public. They also allege that prosecutors prevented him from testifying in his own defense.

Central to their appeal is the demand for the recusal of Judge John Roach, who presided over the trial that concluded last month. The defense asserts that Roach demonstrated bias against Anthony in post-verdict interviews. According to court documents, the defense claims that Roach's remarks, where he publicly endorsed the guilty verdict and commented on Anthony having to live with the consequences of his actions, make it impossible for him to fairly rule on future motions in the case.

Anthony, now 19, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison for fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf. The incident occurred in April 2025 during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas. Anthony filed a notice of appeal less than 24 hours after the verdict, stating he was indigent and unable to afford legal representation, despite his family having raised over $600,000 for his defense and living expenses.

The confrontation between Anthony and Metcalf began during a rain delay when Anthony refused to leave Metcalf's team's tent. Witnesses stated that after Metcalf pushed Anthony, Anthony produced a knife and stabbed Metcalf in the chest. Metcalf died shortly thereafter. The defense maintained that the stabbing was an act of self-defense, but the jury convicted Anthony of murder after deliberations lasting just over two hours.

The case garnered national attention, with discussions around race arising as some of Anthony's supporters characterized Metcalf, who was white, as a bully targeting Anthony, who is Black. The appeals process is ongoing and could take several months to conclude.