Judge denies new trial request for convicted murderer Karmelo Anthony

A Dallas judge on Saturday denied Karmelo Anthony's request for a new trial in the fatal stabbing of Frisco student Austin Metcalf during a track meet last year. Anthony, 19, was convicted of murder in June and sentenced to 35 years in prison. Judge Michael Chitty, newly appointed to hear the matter after the original trial judge was removed from the appeal process, issued an order stating that after reviewing the motion, record, evidence, arguments, briefs and relevant case law, the court determined the motion should be denied.

Anthony's new attorneys argued that his rights were violated by undocumented conferences held by former Collin County Judge John Roach and by pre-trial hearings he did not attend. They also claimed his Sixth Amendment right to a public trial was infringed by limitations on courtroom access.

A key issue at the hearing involved a "gentleman's agreement" between prosecutors and Anthony's original defense counsel to exclude certain character evidence about both Anthony and Metcalf. Former defense lawyer Toby Shook testified that the agreement was meant to keep the focus on the events "under the tent" where the stabbing occurred and would have allowed Anthony to testify in support of a self-defense claim without prosecutors introducing additional damaging evidence. Prosecutor Bill Wirskye said the agreement was intended to protect both sides from harmful character evidence entering the public record and that the state gave up "a whole lot" by accepting it.

During closing arguments, prosecutors maintained that the courtroom remained accessible to the public and media, while the defense contended that ending the use of an overflow room limited public access.

The incident occurred on April 2, 2025, when Anthony, then a Centennial High School student, was seated under a tent at a regional high school track meet at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco. According to investigators, Metcalf, a 17-year-old Memorial High School student, told Anthony to leave. Surveillance video released after the trial showed Metcalf and friends approaching the tent, followed by footage of Anthony fleeing the stadium after the stabbing. Witnesses identified Anthony to a school resource officer, and police body-camera video captured Anthony stating that Metcalf "put his hands on me" and that he acted to protect himself. In a separate recording, Anthony told an officer, "I did it," after being identified as the suspect. A 911 caller reported a friend had been stabbed under the tent and requested an ambulance.

Anthony continues to assert that he acted in self-defense. The case will now move forward to the Fifth Court of Appeals.