Karmelo Anthony was convicted of first‑degree murder for stabbing 17‑year‑old Austin Metcalf to death during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas. He received a 35‑year prison sentence, avoiding the death penalty.
Anthony’s defense team has filed a motion seeking a new trial, distinguishing the request from a standard appeal. The attorneys contend that several procedural irregularities compromised the fairness of the original proceeding.
One claim asserts that the trial was effectively closed to the public, limiting transparency and public oversight. The defense argues that this restriction impeded the defendant’s right to an open trial.
The filing also alleges that prosecutors failed to honor an off‑record evidentiary agreement, potentially altering the scope of evidence considered by the jury. Such a breach, the attorneys maintain, undermines the integrity of the verdict.
Additionally, the defense contends that jury instructions were ambiguous, preventing jurors from fully evaluating a self‑defense argument presented by the defendant. The attorneys assert that clearer guidance could have led to a different outcome.
The motion includes a request to remove Judge John Roach from any post‑trial hearings, citing alleged bias. The defense points to public comments the judge made to reporters after the trial as evidence of partiality.
According to court filings, the judge affirmed the jury’s decision when asked by a reporter if the verdict was correct, and subsequently elaborated on his rulings. The defense interprets these remarks as indicative of a prejudiced stance.
A hearing on the motion is scheduled for August. Legal observers note that the request faces significant hurdles and may be denied, leaving the conviction and sentence in place.
