Texas teen's murder conviction case sees new judge assigned as retrial request proceeds
A Texas judge was removed from Karmelo Anthony's murder case after the defense cited alleged bias and restrictive courtroom rules, and a new judge will hear the retrial request.
A Collin County judge was removed from the murder trial of 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony, who is serving a 35-year sentence for the 2025 stabbing death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf. Anthony's new defense team argued that the presiding judge, John Roach, imposed overly strict media restrictions and gave a post-verdict interview in which he said the jury "got it right," raising concerns about impartiality. A different judge will oversee the hearing on Anthony's request for a new trial scheduled for Thursday.
Roach defended the courtroom limitations in a written statement, saying they were intended to protect the legal process, witnesses and the jury. Prosecutors, represented by Bill Wirskye, maintained that the jury considered extensive evidence and delivered a unanimous verdict, expressing confidence in the fairness of the proceedings.
The defense highlighted three issues: limited public access that effectively closed the trial to observers, the introduction of character evidence contrary to a prior agreement, and jury instructions on a self-defense claim. A separate hearing on the retrial request is set for Thursday at 9 a.m.