A Texas judge on Saturday denied a motion for a new trial for Karmelo Anthony, who was convicted of murdering a 17-year-old high school athlete. Judge Michael Chitty issued a half-page order following a two-day hearing near Dallas, stating that he had reviewed the evidence and arguments but providing no further elaboration.
The decision follows Anthony’s conviction in June for the April 2025 stabbing death of Austin Metcalf during a track meet. Anthony, 19, was sentenced to 35 years in prison. During the trial, Anthony’s defense argued he was acting in self-defense during a confrontation in the bleachers, but jurors rejected that claim.
Defense attorney Russell Wilson requested the new trial on the grounds that trial judge John Roach’s courtroom rules were overly strict and limited public access. Additionally, the defense sought Roach’s recusal because of a post-trial television interview in which the judge stated the jury "got it right." Judge Roach maintained his rules were necessary for a fair trial, and prosecutor Bill Wirskye stated the proceedings were fair.
The scale of the case's impact extended beyond the courtroom, as the killing drew national attention and led to the harassment of both families involved. Social media discussions amplified the case in racial terms—Anthony is Black and Metcalf was white—though both the prosecution and defense told jurors that race was not a factor in the case. The judge’s denial of a new trial maintains the current legal status quo for the Collin County community and the families affected by the 2025 track meet stabbing.
The concrete day-to-day change for Anthony is the continuation of his prison sentence rather than a return to the county jail for new proceedings. The ruling sets a precedent regarding the limits of a trial judge's public comments and courtroom management as grounds for a retrial in this jurisdiction. Following Judge Chitty's order, the case will now move to the appellate phase. Defense attorney Russell Wilson stated that the defense team intends to appeal the decision through every available lawful avenue. Districts and courts have not yet announced specific dates for these future appellate hearings.