Judge denies Karmelo Anthony’s new trial in Austin Metcalf murder case

Karmelo Anthony’s request for a new trial was rejected following a two-day hearing in Collin County (Picture: Collin County Jail/KDFW) Karmelo Anthony has been denied a new trial after being convicted of murdering 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet. The 19-year-old was convicted of murder back in June and sentenced to 35 years in prison. His lawyers argued that courtroom restrictions and a disputed agreement between prosecutors and his original defence team had violated his rights. Those arguments fell upon deaf ears. Retired District Judge Michael Chitty rejected the application on Saturday following a two-day hearing in Collin County, Texas. Anthony’s lawyers argued that restrictions and undocumented discussions had denied him a fair and public trial (Picture: AP) ‘Upon reviewing the motion, the record, the evidence and argument, the briefs, and the relevant case law, the Court has determined that the motion should be denied,’ he wrote. ‘It is therefore considered, ordered, and adjudged by the Court that the Motion for New Trial is denied.’ Anthony stabbed Metcalf once in the chest during a confrontation at a school track meet in Frisco in April 2025. The two teenagers attended different schools and hadn’t known each other before the encounter. Minister Dominique Alexander was among those who publicly supported Karmelo Anthony during the closely watched case (Picture: Instagram) Witnesses said that Anthony had been sitting beneath a tent belonging to Metcalf’s team and was repeatedly asked to leave. According to testimony, their argument escalated before Metcalf pushed Anthony. Anthony then pulled out a knife and stabbed him. Anthony maintained that he had acted in self-defence, but prosecutors described him as the aggressor. Jurors rejected his account and convicted him of murder. His new legal team sought a retrial partly because of a so-called ‘gentleman’s agreement’ made before the original proceedings. Supporters of Karmelo Anthony gathered outside the Collin County courthouse during his murder trial in June (Picture: AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) The off-the-record arrangement between prosecutors and Anthony’s trial lawyers was intended to keep damaging character evidence about both teenagers away from the jury. The case had already generated intense national attention, racially charged online commentary and threats against people involved. Anthony is black and Metcalf was white, although lawyers on both sides told jurors that the killing wasn’t about race. Under the informal agreement, prosecutors withheld evidence concerning Anthony’s interest in guns and knives and messages he had previously sent about violence. Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said the jury’s guilty verdict would stand following the judge’s ruling (Picture: KDFW) The defence, meanwhile, didn’t introduce allegations that Metcalf had used racist language, bullied black classmates and been involved in fights. Those claims didn’t form part of the evidence considered by the murder jury. Anthony’s appellate lawyers argued that a last-minute dispute over whether the agreement would still apply if he gave evidence caused him to abandon plans to testify. Toby Shook, one of his trial lawyers, told the hearing: ‘It was essential that the jury hear Karmelo and hear his explanation.’ Law enforcement officers stood outside the courthouse after Anthony was convicted of murdering 17-year-old Austin Metcalf (Picture: AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Prosecutor Bill Wirskye maintained that the possibility of Anthony testifying hadn’t formed part of the original agreement. He defended the trial as fair and said numerous witnesses had testified that the killing wasn’t an act of self-defence. Anthony’s lawyers also challenged strict courtroom rules imposed by Judge John Roach, who presided over the murder trial. They argued that restrictions on public access and discussions conducted outside the formal court record had denied Anthony a fair and open trial. Prosecutors said the security measures were necessary because of threats, attempts to intimidate witnesses and the extraordinary amount of attention surrounding the case across the US. A courtroom sketch shows Karmelo Anthony sitting at the defence table as lawyers presented their arguments to the jury (Picture: AP) Roach was removed from the post-trial proceedings after Anthony’s lawyers argued that his impartiality could reasonably be questioned. Their application cited a television interview in which Roach was asked whether the jury had reached the right verdict. ‘Yeah, they did,’ he replied, adding: ‘Whatever they say, they got it right.’ Visiting Judge Sid Harle said he believed Roach would act fairly but ruled that his impartiality ‘might reasonably be questioned’. Chitty was subsequently appointed to consider Anthony’s application for a new trial. Karmelo Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison (Picture: Collin County Jail) Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said prosecutors had expected the application to be rejected. ‘The jury’s guilty verdict stands, and we remain confident in the process,’ he said. ‘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 lawyer Russell Wilson said the defence would continue its challenge through the appeals court. ‘Our commitment to our client has not changed,’ he said. ‘We will continue to advocate vigorously on his behalf through every lawful avenue available.’ Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

Karmelo Anthony Request For New Trial Denied After Disturbing Revelations The narrative of the innocent black kid standing up to "white bullies" is falling apart.  Karmelo Anthony, age 19, was convicted in June 2026 of murdering 17-year-old Austin Metcalf (who was also 17 at the time) by fatally stabbing him in the chest during a confrontation at a high school track meet in April 2025.  A Collin County jury sentenced him to 35 years in prison. Anthony claimed self-defense; arguing that Metcalf "shoved him" and that he was protecting himself. Anthony's family raised $634,000 from gullible liberals on claims self defense and racism, but their story started to fall apart early in the trial.  His conviction was met with outrage by progressive commentators and Democrat politician who continue to assert that Anthony should be freed from prison.  Efforts were immediately launched for a new trial. However, Kaufman County Judge Michael Chitty (appointed after the original trial judge was recused) denied the motion in a brief order after a two-day hearing, stating he had reviewed the motion, record, evidence, arguments, briefs, and case law.    During the new-trial hearing, previously excluded character evidence was discussed that was kept out of the original trial.  Under an informal “gentleman’s agreement” between prosecutors and defense, this evidence was omitted and focus was limited to the day of the incident in order to avoid "inflaming racial tensions".   This new evidence included text messages and notes from Karmelo Anthony expressing extreme violence.  Examples included messages about stabbing someone and “licking the blood off the blade.”  There were threats toward an ex-girlfriend, including a photo of a knife and Anthony saying he was “low key on the verge” the day he murdered Austin Metcalf.  There were also reports of Anthony stalking his ex-girlfriends, other threats of violence, school disciplinary issues involving fights, jokes about school shootings, and related content. These revelations help to paint a picture of a warped individual that seemed to be looking for an opportunity for a violent encounter.  This helps to explain why Anthony invaded the tent of an opposing high school team and refused to leave - He may have wanted someone to confront him, and that person just happened to be Austin Metcalf.  Had it not been Metcalf it's likely that Anthony would have simply killed someone else down the road. Defense lawyers say they plan to appeal the case to the 5th Court of Appeals in Dallas.    The incident became a flashpoint for racial tension in the US, with leftists and black activists celebrating the murder of Metcalf as "payback" for the "crimes of white America."  It's a trend which has been gestating for many years due to woke ideology and the concept of social and financial "reparations" in the name of righting the wrongs of the past by punishing white people today.   The case also brought many misconceptions about self defense law to the surface and proved that, sadly, far too many people are ignorant of how these laws work.  Deadly force cannot be used without a legitimate threat to life and limb.  Feeling insulted because someone call you out for bad behavior, or being shoved out of a tent, is not legal grounds to murder that person. Ultimately, the Karmelo Anthony case once again exposed a dangerous disconnect between black culture and the rest of America.  Their seething obsession with "respect" that they have not earned is leading the black community down a path to disaster.     Tyler Durden Sun, 08/23/2026 - 14:35