A retired Kaufman County judge is set to hear Karmelo Anthony’s request for a new trial this morning in McKinney, one day after the judge who oversaw his murder conviction was recused.
The hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, in the 494th District Courtroom at the Collin County Courthouse. According to Collin County, the proceeding will follow the same media, security and courtroom rules used during Anthony’s June trial, with an overflow room available.
Anthony, now 19, was convicted of murder on June 9 and sentenced to 35 years in prison for the April 2, 2025, stabbing death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a Frisco high school track meet at David Kuykendall Stadium. Both teens were 17 at the time. A Collin County jury rejected Anthony’s self-defense claim.
On Wednesday, visiting Judge Sid Harle granted a defense motion to recuse State District Judge John Roach Jr. from further proceedings. CBS Texas and NBC 5 report that Harle said he believed Roach could be fair, but that a reasonable observer could question his impartiality after post-trial comments. In a WFAA interview after sentencing, Roach said jurors “got it right.” Retired Judge Michael B. Chitty of Kaufman County was then assigned to Thursday’s hearing.
Anthony’s new appellate team, including attorney Russell Wilson, argues the June trial was unfair. According to court filings and local reports, they cite courtroom access limits, jury instructions on self-defense, and an off-the-record dispute with prosecutors that they say left Anthony only minutes to decide whether to testify. He did not take the stand.
Prosecutor Bill Wirskye has said the jury heard extensive evidence and returned a unanimous verdict. WFAA reported he argued Roach’s comments did not show bias and that courtroom restrictions were meant to keep the trial orderly.
Texas law gives the court 75 days from sentencing to rule on a motion for a new trial. The Dallas Morning News reports that deadline is Aug. 24. If no ruling is issued by then, the motion is denied automatically. A denial would still leave Anthony’s separate appeal to a higher court.
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