The bid for a new trial for Karmelo Anthony, convicted of murdering Austin Metcalf, is currently before a Texas judge who is considering newly revealed details of Anthony's violent past. The explosive evidence, never presented to the jury in Anthony's June trial, emerged during a hearing Friday in Collin County, north of Dallas.
Anthony's defense team is arguing that his murder conviction should be overturned due to alleged violations of his rights during the trial. However, prosecutors highlighted a "gentleman's agreement" between both sides before the original trial, which may undermine the defense's claims. This agreement led to the exclusion of damaging information about both Anthony and Metcalf, with the jury only hearing about events that transpired within the track team tent where the stabbing occurred.
Among the new details presented to the judge were Anthony's past threats. At age 16, he allegedly texted, "Imma shoot the school up tmr." He also admitted to threatening his girlfriend, Valeria Perez, multiple times in 2024, with statements such as, "How many bullets you want coming out of your chest." Prosecutors also revealed a text message from Anthony detailing a violent fantasy: "When I stab someone, I'm gonna lick the blood off the blade."
Anthony, now 19, admitted to stabbing and killing Metcalf at a Frisco high school track meet in April 2025, but maintained he acted in self-defense. Despite the jury, composed of diverse individuals, hearing arguments about the incident, they rejected the manslaughter option and found Anthony guilty of murder in June. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Following the conviction, Anthony's parents hired a new legal team, which has raised concerns about the fairness of the trial. The defense claims that Metcalf and his twin brother were previously caught spray-painting racist graffiti and that Austin Metcalf had a history of school disciplinary issues and arrests, including an alleged assault in elementary school that resulted in a hospitalization. The defense presented these details, alongside evidence of Anthony's past threats, in their arguments.
The judge, Michael Chitty, a retired magistrate with 17 years of experience, stated he needed time to review all submitted evidence before making a decision by Monday. Legal experts suggest that securing a new trial presents a difficult challenge, requiring a demonstration of significant unfairness beyond simply not having a full opportunity in court.