A Texas judge has denied Karmelo Anthony’s request for a new trial, leaving his conviction for the murder of Austin Metcalf and his subsequent 35-year prison sentence intact. The decision comes after Anthony’s attorneys argued that procedural issues and an alleged violation of an unwritten agreement with prosecutors infringed upon his rights during the original trial.
Retired District Judge Michael Chitty, who reviewed the case, denied the motion without detailing his reasoning in his order. The case has seen judicial shifts, with Judge Sid Harle having previously removed the original trial judge, John Roach, from further proceedings due to concerns about impartiality after Roach publicly commented on the jury's decision.
Dispute Over Testimony Agreement
Central to the new-trial hearing was an oral agreement between Anthony’s former defense attorneys and prosecutors. This agreement was intended to prevent potentially damaging character evidence from being presented to the jury. Former lead defense attorney Mike Howard testified that he understood the agreement would allow Anthony to testify if he remained focused on the specific confrontation at a Frisco track meet.
However, on the final day of the trial, prosecutors informed the defense that the agreement might not apply if Anthony took the stand, suggesting the defense had opened the door to character evidence. Howard stated this led to a contentious break in proceedings and made Anthony unwilling to testify. Under cross-examination, Howard acknowledged that the specifics of the agreement concerning a testifying defendant were not expressly defined and could not confirm if prosecutors acted in bad faith.
Toby Shook, another former defense attorney, provided similar testimony, indicating the defense team's understanding that Anthony's testimony supporting his self-defense claim was covered by the agreement. Shook stated that the prosecution's stance caught the defense by surprise, as they had expected Anthony to testify.
Prosecutors, however, disputed the claim that the agreement was broken. Lead prosecutor Bill Wirske argued that the details of the agreement were never fully discussed regarding Anthony's testimony and that the state remained willing to honor it. Wirske also noted the state's concern that testimony from Anthony or his mother could potentially allow character evidence to be introduced.
Other Claims Considered
The defense also raised claims that restrictions on courtroom access violated Anthony’s Sixth Amendment right to a public trial and that jury instructions limited the jury's ability to consider self-defense.
Anthony, who was 19 at the time of the hearing, was convicted in June for stabbing and killing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during an altercation at a Frisco track meet. A jury in Collin County sentenced him to 35 years in prison.