Defense attorneys for Karmelo Anthony successfully removed the trial judge from all appeal efforts on Wednesday as they seek a retrial for their client. In June, Anthony, a 19-year-old man, was convicted of murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a Texas high school track meet in April 2025. The case received national attention due to the races of the suspect and victim.
Judge John Roach, who presided over the trial, has been recused from the case. This decision was made by Judge Sid Harle, who previously oversaw a trial related to the 2022 Uvalde school shooting. A new judge will be appointed before Thursday’s court hearing, where the defense will argue for a new trial.
Anthony’s lawyers cited Roach’s television interview after the guilty verdict as grounds for a retrial, in which he expressed agreement with the jury’s decision. The defense raised concerns about the jury selection process, noting that no black jurors were included. State prosecutors defended Roach's actions, stating he did not violate any rules by granting the interview.
The defense team, now referred to as the “dream team,” expressed concerns that Roach would not be impartial in a retrial. Anthony was present in court on Wednesday, along with both sets of parents. Supporters of Anthony expressed their approval outside the courthouse.
Frederick Douglass Haynes III, a Dallas pastor and Texas Democratic congressional candidate, commented that Roach’s public agreement with the jury raised questions about the fairness of the trial. If the defense is successful, Anthony will have another opportunity to defend himself in court, having not testified during the initial trial.
The incident leading to the charges occurred last year when Anthony allegedly stabbed Metcalf during a confrontation over a seating dispute. The defense claimed self-defense, but the jury rejected this argument. The ongoing developments in the case have been difficult for Metcalf’s family, who have publicly feuded with Anthony’s parents regarding the case's racial implications.