Karmelo Anthony requests a different judge and a new trial in the appeal of his conviction for the murder of Austin Metcalf.

Carmelo Anthony Seeks New Trial with Different Judge

Carmelo Anthony is pushing for a new trial, this time to be overseen by a different judge, according to motions filed by his newly formed defense team on Tuesday.

The appeal stems from his murder conviction related to the stabbing death of fellow high school athlete, Austin Metcalf. Anthony’s lawyers argued that his constitutional rights were violated because his initial trial was not public and that, therefore, the conviction should be annulled.

In their argument, they also maintained that prosecutors prevented Anthony from taking the stand to defend himself. They want the court to consider this significant factor in their appeal.

If Anthony is granted a new trial, his defense team insists it must be led by another judge due to what they claim was a bias displayed by Judge John Roach during the original proceedings.

The defense alleges that Roach showcased partiality by publicly defending the trial’s conduct and expressing support for the conviction in a media interview after the verdict.

In that interview, Roach stated, “Yes, they did the right thing. They were chosen under the law, they listened to the facts…and they got a verdict.” He also indicated that, despite finding Anthony to be a decent young man, he must also face the consequences of his actions.

Anthony’s new legal team includes prominent figures like Gary Bledsoe, the Texas NAACP President, and established attorneys such as Russell Wilson and Brooke Crews from the Ben Crump law firm. Together, they are focused on overturning Anthony’s conviction.

Interestingly, they are working pro bono, which adds another layer of urgency to the case.

In April 2025, Anthony was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison for fatally stabbing 17-year-old Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas. Just a day after the verdict, he filed a notice of appeal.

Contrary to claims of being “penniless,” his family has reportedly raised $625,000 through crowdfunding to assist with his legal expenses and basic needs.

The incident escalated during a rain delay at the track meet when Anthony was in Metcalf’s team tent. Witnesses noted a confrontation where Metcalf told Anthony to leave before the stabbing occurred.

As tensions rose, Anthony’s defense argued that the stabbing was an act of self-defense, but the jury took just over two hours to reach a conviction of murder.

The case attracted national attention, with some supporters framing Metcalf as an aggressor, adding a racial dimension to the narrative, since Anthony is Black and Metcalf was white.