A Texas judge has been removed from further proceedings in the murder case of Karmelo Anthony, a 19-year-old seeking a new trial. The judge, John Roach, presided over Anthony's trial in June, where the teen was convicted and sentenced to 35 years for fatally stabbing a fellow student at a high school track meet.
Anthony's defense attorneys filed a motion to recuse Judge Roach, citing concerns about his impartiality and courtroom restrictions. Ahead of the trial, Roach had imposed a gag order and barred electronics from the courtroom, actions the defense argued infringed upon Anthony's right to a fair trial. The motion also pointed to public statements Roach made after the verdict, which attorneys claimed "objectively appear to commit it to the verdict and the challenged access rulings while it still retained authority to decide a timely motion for new trial."
During a recent hearing, defense attorney Russell Wilson argued that Roach's public comments about an impending proceeding warranted an automatic recusal. Prosecutor Bill Wirskye, however, defended Roach, suggesting a "concerted effort from social media and influencers to disrupt" the trial and asserting that Roach prioritized fairness.
Judge Sid Harle granted the defense's motion, leading to cheers and chants of "Free Karmelo!" from supporters outside the courtroom. A hearing on Anthony's motion for a new trial is scheduled for Thursday.
The stabbing occurred on April 2, 2025, at a Frisco Independent School District stadium during a track and field competition. Anthony, then 17, and the victim, 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, reportedly argued over Anthony being under Metcalf's school tent. Witnesses testified that Metcalf shoved Anthony before Anthony stabbed him with a pocket knife. Metcalf died from the wound.
Anthony did not testify during the trial. The defense argued self-defense, while prosecutors characterized the stabbing as an "unjustified" and "plain and simple murder." A Collin County jury found Anthony guilty of murder after three hours of deliberation and sentenced him to 35 years. Jurors could have considered lesser charges like manslaughter, which carried a maximum sentence of 20 years. The defense has alleged that prosecutors prevented Anthony from testifying about self-defense and that the court improperly instructed the jury.
Anthony's attorneys expressed satisfaction with Roach's recusal and stated they look forward to presenting the new trial motion to an independent judge. The district attorney's office had previously called the stabbing a "senseless murder."