Karmelo Anthony new trial request denied by Texas judge
Judge Michael Chitty’s ruling leaves Anthony’s murder conviction and 35-year sentence in place as his appeal continues.
By Sal Moretti · Money Reporter
2 min read
A Texas judge has denied Karmelo Anthony’s new trial request, keeping intact his murder conviction and 35-year prison sentence for the April 2025 killing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a Frisco track meet.
Judge Michael Chitty issued the decision Saturday, Aug. 22, after a two-day hearing on Anthony’s motion. The brief order said Chitty had reviewed the motion, court record, evidence, arguments, legal briefs and relevant case law before deciding the request should be denied, ABC News reported. The order gave no further explanation.
Why did Karmelo Anthony seek a new trial?
Anthony’s new legal team argued that an unwritten agreement between the original trial lawyers about character evidence affected his decision not to testify. The defense said Anthony believed prosecutors would not honor limits on questions about his past if he took the stand, according to CBS News Texas.
The motion also challenged restrictions on public access to the original proceedings. Defense lawyers argued that the rules imposed in the courtroom of the original trial judge, John Roach, deprived Anthony of a fair and public trial, ABC News reported.
Prosecutors disputed both claims. Bill Wirskye, who prosecuted the case and represented the state at the hearing, said the attorneys had agreed to the arrangement concerning character evidence and that it was honored. He also defended the trial restrictions as a response to threats and intense public attention surrounding the case, CBS News Texas reported.
What does the ruling mean for Anthony’s case?
The immediate result is that the jury’s verdict remains in force. A Collin County jury convicted Anthony, now 19, of murder in June 2026 after rejecting his self-defense claim, then sentenced him to 35 years in prison. Anthony did not testify during that trial, according to ABC News.
The ruling does not end Anthony’s legal options. His appellate attorney, Russell Wilson, said the defense disagrees with Chitty’s decision and will continue its case in the Fifth Court of Appeals.
“The denial of our motion does not end this case,” Wilson said in a statement reported by CBS News Texas. He said the defense intends to pursue available legal remedies.
Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said the prosecution respected the ruling and remained confident in the process. “The jury’s guilty verdict stands,” Willis said, while adding that every defendant has the right to appeal.
Chitty was assigned to handle the post-trial matter after Roach was recused from further proceedings in the case, ABC News reported.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS News.