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A Texas judge has denied Karmelo Anthony’s request for a new trial in the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf.
Anthony, 19, received a 35-year prison sentence in June. A jury convicted him of murder in Metcalf’s 2025 death.
Retired District Judge Michael Chitty rejected Anthony’s request on Saturday, Aug. 22. The decision followed a two-day hearing.
Chitty reviewed the motion, trial record, evidence, arguments and relevant case law before reaching his decision.
Karmelo Anthony’s Attorneys Plan to Appeal
Anthony’s attorneys argued that the original trial included legal errors. They also challenged restrictions that District Judge John Roach Jr. placed on the proceedings.
Roach later stepped away from the case. Chitty then took over the request for a new trial.
Anthony’s legal team also raised concerns about an informal agreement between prosecutors and defense attorneys. The agreement aimed to keep certain information about Anthony and Metcalf out of the trial.
The defense argued that the agreement’s breakdown affected Anthony’s ability to testify.
After Saturday’s ruling, appellate lawyer Russell Wilson said the team would continue its fight. The attorneys plan to take the case to the Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas.
Austin Metcalf’s Fatal Stabbing
Anthony and Metcalf attended a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, in April 2025.
According to an eyewitness account, Metcalf asked Anthony to move from beneath a tent. The tent belonged to members of Metcalf’s high school track team.
Anthony reached into his bag and warned Metcalf, according to the account.
Metcalf then tried to move Anthony. Anthony pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the chest, the witness told police.
Anthony left the area after the stabbing. Metcalf later died from his injuries.
Anthony Will Remain in Prison
The judge’s decision means Anthony’s murder conviction remains intact.
His attorneys plan to continue challenging the conviction through the appeals process. Meanwhile, the 35-year sentence remains in place.
If Chitty had granted a new trial, the court would have vacated Anthony’s murder conviction. Anthony could then have left jail on a $250,000 pretrial bond while prosecutors considered another trial.
For now, Anthony remains convicted of murder and must continue serving his sentence unless an appeals court changes the outcome.
Source: People
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