Attorneys for Karmelo Anthony have filed an appeal seeking a new trial after he was convicted of murder in the fatal stabbing of fellow student-athlete Austin Metcalf during a track meet in Frisco, Texas.
Anthony’s new legal team filed the appeal Tuesday, arguing that several trial decisions violated his constitutional rights and prevented him from receiving a fair proceeding. The attorneys also requested that the trial judge be removed from handling future matters related to the case.
A jury convicted Anthony, 19, last month and sentenced him to 35 years in prison for the killing of Metcalf. Both teenagers were 17 years old when the April 2025 incident occurred during a district track competition involving Centennial High School and Memorial High School.
In their appeal, Anthony’s attorneys argued that the court improperly limited public access to portions of the trial, violating his constitutional protections. They also claimed prosecutors withdrew from an informal agreement regarding certain character-related evidence, which they say affected Anthony’s decision about whether to testify.
The attorneys criticized the pace of the trial, arguing that the court schedule created difficulties for the defense. They specifically pointed to a hearing held on a Saturday when some defense witnesses were unavailable.
The defense team said Anthony was given only a short period of time to decide whether to testify, despite the importance of that decision. They argued that he was not provided enough time to consult with attorneys before deciding whether to waive his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
In a separate filing, Anthony’s attorneys asked that John Roach be removed from the case, citing comments he made in a post-trial interview with WFAA.
The attorneys argued that the judge’s remarks created an appearance of bias because he discussed the jury’s decision, defended his courtroom rulings, and commented on the fairness of the trial while still having authority over post-trial proceedings.
According to the filing, the defense took issue with comments in which Roach expressed confidence in the jury’s verdict and discussed Anthony’s acceptance of the consequences of his actions.
The attorneys also criticized the judge for publicly defending aspects of the trial, including jury selection and media access rules. They argued that these statements could cause a reasonable observer to question whether the judge could remain neutral during the appeals process.
Anthony’s legal team further objected to restrictions placed on access to court records, saying the trial file had been sealed and that attorneys were only allowed to review documents under conditions they did not accept.
During the original trial, Anthony admitted to stabbing Metcalf but argued that he acted in self-defense. His attorneys said he felt threatened after being confronted by members of the opposing track team while sitting in the bleachers at the event.
Prosecutors disputed that account, arguing that Anthony was the aggressor and that the stabbing was not justified.
The case received national attention because of the racial backgrounds of the two teenagers, with Anthony being Black and Metcalf being white. The trial sparked widespread discussion about self-defense laws, criminal justice, and race.
A group of appellate and civil rights attorneys agreed to represent Anthony without charge following his conviction. The appeal team includes former prosecutor Russell Wilson, criminal defense attorney Michael Ware, Gary Bledsoe, and attorneys from several legal organizations.
The appeal process will now determine whether the conviction stands, a new trial is granted, or further legal proceedings are ordered.
