New Hearings Set for Convicted Killer Karmelo Anthony As Lawyers Seek New Trial

Convicted murderer Karmelo Anthony is asking for a new trial. His legal team now claims the proceedings were unfair despite a jury finding him guilty in the killing of Austin Metcalf. pic.twitter.com/rW5D0e6wv6

— Brandon Tatum (@TheOfficerTatum) July 25, 2026

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Anthony’s legal team is seeking a new trial over claims that the trial was effectively closed to the public, that prosecutors did not honor an off-the-record evidentiary agreement, and that instructions to the jury made it difficult for them to consider Anthony acted in self-defense.

They also asked for Judge John Roach to be removed from post-trial hearings because of his alleged bias.

In court filings, Anthony’s lawyers said the judge made comments to news reporters following the trial and “expressed personal opinions about the propriety and correctness of the jury’s verdict, the fairness of the trial and the correctness of the judge’s own rulings during the trial.”

When a reporter asked Roach if the jury got it right, he responded, “Yeah, they did.” The judge then reportedly explained himself and talked about his rulings.

The defense argued that the judge’s personal views suggest his probable decision on a motion for a new trial.

A different Collin County judge will hold a hearing on Aug. 19 to on the motion to replace Judge Roach.

The next day, the defense team will argue their motion for a new trial.

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Karmelo Anthony — the kid who stabbed 17-year-old Austin Metcalf to death at a high school track meet in Frisco last year, just got his “new trial” hearings set for next month.

He was FOUND GUILTY of first-degree murder. Sentenced to 35 years. Self-defense claim rejected by… pic.twitter.com/3sTxsY0gIJ

— Gunther Eagleman

(@GuntherEagleman) July 25, 2026

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Karmelo Anthony — the kid who stabbed 17-year-old Austin Metcalf to death at a high school track meet in Frisco last year, just got his “new trial” hearings set for next month.

He was FOUND GUILTY of first-degree murder. Sentenced to 35 years. Self-defense claim rejected by the jury.

Now his new high-powered legal team is crying:

• Trial was “closed to the public”
• Prosecutors broke some secret deal
• Jury instructions were “misleading”
• And the judge is “biased”

Classic move. Lose fair and square… then scream the system is rigged.

Austin Metcalf is still dead. His family still has a hole that never closes. And we’re supposed to pretend this was just some tragic misunderstanding?

August 19 & 20. Watch closely.

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