A new judge is set to hear Karmelo Anthony’s request for a new trial this morning in McKinney, as Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico’s comments about the jury have added another layer to the already high-profile case.
The hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday at the Collin County Courthouse. Retired Kaufman County Judge Michael B. Chitty will preside, according to CBS Texas and NBC 5. Visiting Judge Sid Harle recused trial Judge John Roach Jr. on Wednesday after Roach said in a WFAA interview that jurors “got it right.”
Anthony, 19, was convicted of murder on June 9 and sentenced to 35 years for the April 2, 2025, stabbing death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a Frisco track meet. Both were 17. A jury rejected Anthony’s self-defense claim.
James Talarico says Karmelo Anthony was convicted because "there were no black members of the jury" and the "system is not working for black Texans."
— Brandon Gill (@realBrandonGill) August 20, 2026
Karmelo Anthony stabbed 17-year-old Austin Metcalf to death for absolutely no reason.
And @jamestalarico sides with the killer. pic.twitter.com/kFIPWiMxp2
Talarico discussed the case Aug. 5 on New York’s The Breakfast Club. According to a transcript of that interview reported by the Washington Free Beacon, he said he is “not an expert on this particular case” but that there were “no Black members of the jury,” and that was “the only evidence you need” to show the system “is not working for Black Texans.” He also called the case a tragedy and said Black Texans have not gotten the justice they deserve.
The Dallas Morning News reported during jury selection that none of the 12 seated jurors was Black. Defense lawyers accused prosecutors of improperly striking the last three Black prospective jurors. Prosecutors said the strikes were race-neutral because those candidates were educators. Roach allowed the strikes.
Fox News later reported sources close to the trial said the 12-person jury included three racial minorities and was not all-white.
Anthony’s appellate lawyers have raised jury selection, courtroom access and other trial issues in asking for a new trial. Texas law gives the court 75 days from sentencing to rule. The Dallas Morning News reports that deadline is Aug. 24. If there is no ruling by then, the motion is denied.
