A Texas judge has officially denied a motion for a new trial for 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony. Anthony was convicted of murder in June and sentenced to 35 years in prison for the April 2025 fatal stabbing of 17-year-old high school athlete Austin Metcalf during a Frisco track meet. Presiding Judge Michael Chitty issued the order following a tense two-day evidentiary hearing near Dallas.
The Karmelo Anthony new trial request denied Austin Metcalf stabbing hearing surfaced intense arguments from defense attorneys. His legal team sought a retrial based on alleged breaches of an off-the-record character evidence agreement and strict courtroom rules enforced by original trial judge John Roach. Roach was recently recused after expressing post-trial agreement with the guilty verdict during a media interview.
“The jury’s guilty verdict stands, and we remain confident in the process… Every defendant has the right to appeal.” Greg Willis, Collin County District Attorney
Despite Judge Chitty upholding the original conviction, Anthony’s defense counsel confirmed plans to appeal the decision to higher state courts. Prosecutors maintained that the original trial was conducted ethically and fairly, leaving the 35-year prison sentence fully intact.
