Texas Judge Denies Retrial for Convicted Murderer Karmelo Anthony

A Texas judge has turned down the request for a retrial from Karmelo Anthony, who was convicted of murder and is currently serving a 35-year sentence.

Now 19, Anthony was found guilty in 2025 for the murder of Austin Metcalf, a 17-year-old high school student. The incident occurred during a track meet in Frisco, Texas, where Anthony stabbed Metcalf following an argument. Despite pleading not guilty, he received a significant sentence.

Anthony’s legal team sought a retrial, arguing that the initial trial was undermined by strict courtroom procedures and improper jury instructions. They also contended that Anthony chose not to testify because the prosecution insisted on focusing solely on the circumstances preceding the stabbing.

There was a minor success for Anthony’s team when the original judge was removed from the appeal process due to remarks made post-trial, where he suggested that the verdict was accurate. However, their ultimate appeal for a retrial was denied, as reported.

Retired Judge Michael Chitty reviewed the evidence and arguments presented during the original trial and decided against the retrial after a two-day hearing held near Dallas.

Anthony’s attorney, Russell Wilson, expressed intentions to appeal the decision. According to Wilson, the trial was unfair to Anthony owing to concerns surrounding an agreement between the defense and prosecution, which ultimately discouraged him from testifying on his own behalf.

This agreement aimed to keep character evidence from influencing the jury. Nevertheless, fears emerged within the defense that if Anthony took the stand, the prosecution might nullify the agreement, risking the introduction of damaging evidence regarding Anthony’s character.

Furthermore, the defense also labeled the original judge, John Roach, as biased after he claimed post-trial that the proceedings reached the correct conclusion.

Despite his conviction for the murder, Anthony maintained that he acted in self-defense during a confrontation over seating logistics.

After the stabbing, he fled the scene, while Metcalf succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter, collapsing in the arms of his twin brother, Hunter.

Anthony insisted, “I was protecting myself. He put his hands on me.” When police confronted him about the stabbing, he admitted to the act, saying, “I’m not alleged, I did it,” and inquired about Metcalf’s condition.

During the trial, numerous witnesses testified that Anthony had been asked to leave the area multiple times and was described as the instigator of the deadly altercation with Metcalf.