Karmelo Anthony’s attorney asks judge for new trial in Texas track meet killing
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Karmelo Anthony’s Attorney Asks Judge for Retrial
Activelifezero.com – Karmelo Anthony’s attorney asks a newly appointed judge to overturn a 35-year prison sentence, arguing that procedural errors during the original trial denied the teenager a fair proceeding. Defense counsel Russell Wilson told Judge Michael Chitty Thursday that prosecutors failed to honor an off-the-record agreement and that the former presiding judge maintained a “shadow docket” that kept critical information away from the courtroom record.
“Everything was done off the record, at an astonishing clip,” Wilson said.
He did not represent Anthony at the criminal trial itself. The motion came just one day after Anthony secured a separate legal win: the judge who had overseen his trial, District Judge John Roach, was removed from the case. Chitty was then assigned to evaluate the retrial request tied to the killing of Austin Metcalf at a Texas high school track meet.
What Happened at the Track Meet
Anthony, now 19, was convicted of fatally stabbing Metcalf during a high school track event last spring. Witnesses described a heated exchange over Anthony’s refusal to leave a tent belonging to Metcalf’s team on a rainy day. Metcalf and others repeatedly told Anthony to vacate the area, witnesses testified, and the confrontation escalated. According to a police report, Anthony reached into a bag and said, “Touch me and see what happens.” Metcalf pushed Anthony, witnesses said, and Anthony then pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the chest.
Jurors rejected Anthony’s claim that he acted in self-defense. Students who took the stand recounted the heated exchange in the stadium bleachers, where several schools were competing at the track event. The case drew national attention in part because of a flood of social media posts that amplified the killing in racial terms. Anthony is Black; Metcalf was white. Lawyers on both sides, however, told jurors the tragedy had nothing to do with race.
As national attention intensified last year, the families of both Metcalf and Anthony said they had been targets of harassment. Prosecutor Bill Wirskye argued Thursday that Anthony received a fair trial and that his attorneys agreed to everything done during the proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Anthony’s legal team seek removal of Judge Roach?
Anthony’s attorneys argued that Roach’s post-trial television interview—where he told a Dallas TV station the jurors “got it right”—showed he had already formed an opinion about the verdict. The interview was played at the start of the recusal hearing Wednesday. Roach also defended his courtroom rules and commented on the onslaught of online postings about the case.
What specific trial errors is the defense citing?
The motion points to strict courtroom rules that limited access to proceedings, improper jury instructions, and a dispute over an agreement to focus the trial on events leading up to the stabbing. Anthony’s decision not to testify, his attorneys say, followed that dispute with prosecutors.
What is the current status of the case?
Judge Chitty is now reviewing the motion for a new trial. The outcome will determine whether Anthony faces a retrial or remains in prison under his original 35-year sentence.
