Attorneys for Karmelo Anthony filed an appeal and a request for a new trial on Tuesday, challenging the 35-year prison sentence given to the former student-athlete for the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf. The legal team argues that District Court Judge John Roach violated the defendant’s rights by restricting public access to the trial and making biased public comments after the verdict, according to court filings.
Legal Grounds for the Appeal and New Trial Request
Anthony’s new legal team—which did not represent him during the original trial—claims the court erred in several critical areas. The filings state that the restriction of public access to the trial violated Anthony’s constitutional rights. Additionally, the defense alleges that prosecutors repudiated an unwritten agreement to exclude certain character and “extraneous-offense” evidence, which effectively denied Anthony the right to testify on his own behalf.
The attorneys also criticized the pace of the proceedings. They specifically highlighted a Saturday court date where several defense witnesses were unavailable. According to the filing, the court allotted only ten minutes for the defense to counsel the then-19-year-old Anthony on whether to waive his Fifth Amendment privilege and testify, despite requests for more time.
Demand for Judge John Roach’s Recusal
In a separate filing, the defense demanded the removal of District Court Judge John Roach. The request stems from an interview Roach gave to Dallas TV station WFAA after the trial, where he expressed personal opinions on the jury’s verdict and the fairness of the process. The attorneys argue these comments violate the state’s judicial conduct and standards code regarding objectivity.
Specific “problematic” comments cited by the defense include:
- Roach agreeing with the correctness of the verdict, stating, “whatever they say … they get it right.”
- Describing Anthony as “a nice young man” who now “understands today … the consequences of committing a crime like … he did.”
- Defending the selection of a jury that included no Black members.
The defense further noted that Roach published a signed letter on the Collin County website addressing the “Collin County Family,” calling his work on the trial “one of the great honors of my judicial career.” The attorneys argued that by publicly pronouncing the process fair while still holding the authority to grant a new trial, the judge signaled that he no longer serves as a neutral arbiter.
Case Background: The Frisco Track Meet Stabbing
The incident occurred on April 2, 2025, during a districtwide track meet in Frisco, Texas. Karmelo Anthony, then a student at Centennial High School, fatally stabbed 17-year-old Austin Metcalf of Memorial High School. While Anthony admitted to the stabbing, his defense argued he acted in self-defense after being physically intimidated and told to leave the bleachers under the Memorial High School tent.
Prosecutors countered this narrative, asserting that Anthony was the one who threatened Metcalf. The case gained national attention and sparked social media debate due to the racial identities of the parties involved—Metcalf was white and Anthony is Black.
Pro Bono Legal Team Composition
Following the conviction and sentencing, a high-profile group of civil rights and criminal defense attorneys joined together to represent Anthony pro bono for his appeal. The legal team consists of:
- Michael Ware: Criminal defense attorney
- Gary Bledsoe: Attorney and Texas NAACP president
- Brooke Cluse: Representative of Ben Crump Law
- Russell Wilson: Former Dallas County prosecutor
- Sean Daredia: Attorney
- Justin A. Moore: Attorney
The defense also alleged that Judge Roach has sealed the entire court file of the trial, allowing Anthony’s attorneys to view it only in chambers under the condition that they do not share the contents—a condition the attorneys state they did not agree to.
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