DALLAS (AP) — A Texas judge on Saturday denied a new trial for Karmelo Anthony in the case of a 17-year-old athlete’s stabbing death at a high school track meet, a tragedy that gained national attention and led to the harassment of the families involved.
In June, Anthony, aged 19, was convicted of murder and received a 35-year prison sentence for the April 2025 killing of Austin Metcalf.
Judge Michael Chitty declined the request for a retrial in a brief order after a two-day hearing near Dallas, citing his review of the evidence and arguments without further explanation.
Russell Wilson, Anthony’s attorney, announced that an appeal would be pursued.
“Our commitment to our client has not changed,” Wilson stated. “We will continue to advocate vigorously on his behalf through every lawful avenue available.”
The request for a retrial centered on an informal agreement between prosecutors and the defense team to exclude harmful character evidence regarding both teenagers from the trial. Both parties agreed to withhold such evidence to prevent further inflaming a case already charged with racial tensions and threats.
The case attracted significant attention partly due to social media posts framing the incident in racial terms. Anthony is Black, while Metcalf was white. However, lawyers on both sides informed jurors that race was not a factor in the case.
Concerns arose, according to Anthony’s attorneys, that prosecutors might breach the agreement as Anthony was about to testify, following a heated exchange between lawyers. This led to a last-minute change in the defense’s strategy, resulting in Anthony’s decision not to testify.
Prosecutor Bill Wirskye maintained that the trial was conducted fairly.
“We respect, and expected, the court’s decision denying the motion for a new trial,” Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis commented following the denial. “The jury’s guilty verdict stands, and we remain confident in the process. Every defendant has the right to appeal, and our thoughts and prayers remain with the Metcalf family in the painful wake of last week’s hearing.”
Anthony’s legal team also sought a retrial, arguing that Judge John Roach’s stringent courtroom rules limited public access to the proceedings. They further requested Roach’s recusal, noting his posttrial interview with a Dallas TV station, where he agreed with the jury’s decision.
“Whatever they say, they got it right,” Roach remarked.
Roach defended his rules as necessary for a fair trial, with prosecutors asserting his conduct was appropriate.
Jurors dismissed Anthony’s claim of self-defense during a confrontation with Metcalf in the bleachers of the track meet.
Both Anthony and Metcalf were athletes from different high schools in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, where multiple teams were competing on the rainy day of the meet.
Anthony was seated under a tent belonging to Metcalf’s team, and witnesses reported that Metcalf and others repeatedly asked him to leave, leading to an escalating conflict.
Prosecutors argued that Anthony provoked Metcalf, with witnesses identifying Anthony as the aggressor.
At one point, Anthony reached into a bag and said, “Touch me and see what happens,” according to a police report.
Witnesses testified that Metcalf pushed Anthony, who then drew a knife and stabbed him in the chest.
