US News
Texas judge denies new trial for Karmelo Anthony in fatal track meet stabbing
A retired judge upheld the 19-year-old's murder conviction and 35-year prison sentence following arguments over an unwritten evidentiary deal.
The short version
- Retired District Judge Michael Chitty denied Karmelo Anthony's request for a new trial following a two-day evidentiary hearing.
- Anthony's 35-year prison sentence for the fatal April 2025 stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf remains in effect.
- The defense based its motion on strict courtroom restrictions and an unwritten evidentiary agreement that attorneys said discouraged Anthony from testifying.
- Anthony's legal team announced plans to pursue the challenge through a direct appeal.
Key facts
- Retired District Judge Michael Chitty rejected Karmelo Anthony's motion for a new trial in a brief order that did not detail his reasoning.[Associated Press · Fox News]
- Anthony was convicted of murder in June and sentenced to 35 years in prison for stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at an April 2025 high school track meet in Frisco, Texas.[Associated Press · Fox News]
- The retrial request focused on an unwritten agreement intended to exclude damaging character evidence regarding both teenagers, which defense attorneys said collapsed when prosecutors indicated it might not apply if Anthony took the stand.[Associated Press · Fox News]
- Original trial judge John Roach was recused from post-trial proceedings after publicly stating the jury 'got it right' in a television interview.[Associated Press · Fox News]
- Prosecutor Bill Wirskye disputed that the state breached the agreement, testifying that prosecutors remained willing to honor it but were concerned testimony could inadvertently open the door to character evidence.[Fox News]
- Defense attorney Russell Wilson stated that Anthony's defense team plans to appeal the conviction.[Associated Press · Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- The specific legal grounds for Judge Chitty's denial remain unspecified because his written order did not provide detailed reasoning.[Associated Press · Fox News]