Attorneys for Karmelo Anthony have filed an appeal seeking a new trial after the 19-year-old was convicted last month in the fatal stabbing of fellow student-athlete Austin Metcalf at a Texas track meet.
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Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of murdering Metcalf during an April 2025 meet in Frisco, Texas. Both teens were 17 at the time of the incident.
According to court filings, Anthony's new legal team argues he was denied several constitutional rights during the trial. The attorneys contend the court improperly restricted public access to the proceedings and that prosecutors failed to honor an alleged agreement regarding certain evidence, which they say affected Anthony's decision not to testify.
The appeal also claims the trial was conducted too quickly, alleging the defense was given only 10 minutes to advise Anthony on whether he should take the witness stand after requesting additional time.
In a separate filing, Anthony's attorneys asked that state District Judge John Roach be removed from the case, arguing comments he made in media interviews and a public letter following the trial created the appearance that he could no longer serve as an impartial judge during post-trial proceedings.
🚨BREAKING 🚨 COLLIN COUNTY, TX. –– The legal defense team representing Karmelo Anthony has filed a Verified Motion to Recuse, requesting that Judge John Roach be removed from presiding over all remaining post-trial proceedings. The defense has also filed a Motion for New Trial,… pic.twitter.com/XObLq4fL7S
— Minister Dominique Alexander (@niquealex) July 7, 2026
Collin County prosecutor Bill Wirskye rejected those claims, saying the appeal contains "inaccurate characterizations of the trial proceedings."
"I and the entire prosecution team conducted this trial ethically and in full compliance with the Court's rulings and any agreements with defense counsel," Wirskye said, adding that prosecutors remain confident in both the jury's verdict and the fairness of the trial.
Anthony admitted stabbing Metcalf but maintained he acted in self-defense after an altercation at the track meet. Prosecutors argued Anthony was the aggressor, and the jury ultimately convicted him of murder.
The appeal will now move through the Texas court system, where Anthony's conviction and sentence will undergo judicial review.
