Karmelo Anthony loses bid for new trial in Austin Metcalf murder case

The ruling leaves his conviction intact after attorneys revisited disputes over evidence and testimony.

A judge has denied Karmelo Anthony’s request for a new trial, leaving his murder conviction in place in the 2025 stabbing death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf.

Retired District Judge Michael Chitty denied Anthony’s motion Saturday after a two-day hearing in Collin County and he'll continue serving his 35-year sentence for murder.

The legal team for Karmelo Anthony released a statement on the denial:

"On behalf of our client, Karmelo Anthony, we are disappointed in today's ruling but not deterred.

We continue to maintain that serious constitutional and legal errors denied Karmelo Anthony the fair trial to which he was entitled. The restrictions placed on public access to his trial raised fundamental Sixth Amendment concerns. The defense made consequential decisions throughout the trial in reliance upon an agreement with the State concerning the evidence that would—and would not be introduced, only to have the State change its position at a critical point in the proceedings. And we maintain that errors in the jury instructions impaired the jury's consideration of the issue at the very heart of Karmelo's defense: whether he acted in self-defense.

The denial of this motion does not make those issues, or others not yet raised, disappear. Therefore, this denial does not end our work.

We will continue to challenge Karmelo's conviction and pursue every legal remedy available to him. We will take these issues to the appellate courts, and wherever else the law permits us to go, because we believe deeply in Karmelo, in his constitutional rights, and in the justice we are seeking on his behalf.

We knew when we entered this case that this case might not be won in a single courtroom or with a single motion. We will keep advocating for Karmelo until the justice we seek is obtained."

Attorney Russell Wilson, who led Anthony's new defense team, also released a statement:

“We are disappointed that the Court denied our motion for a new trial. We respectfully disagree with the ruling and remain firmly committed to protecting our client’s rights.

We believe the issues raised in our motion are substantial and deserve meaningful appellate review. The denial of our motion does not end this case. We will continue the appeal in the Fifth Court of Appeals and pursue every legal remedy available to our client.

Our commitment to our client has not changed. We will continue to advocate vigorously on his behalf through every lawful avenue available.”

Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis also released a statement following the court's decision:

"We respect, and expected, the court’s decision denying the motion for a new trial. The jury’s guilty verdict stands, and we remain confident in the process. Every defendant has the right to appeal, and our thoughts and prayers remain with the Metcalf family in the painful wake of last week’s hearing.”

Had the motion been granted, Anthony’s murder conviction would have been vacated, and it would have been up to the Collin County District Attorney’s Office to decide whether to proceed with another trial.

Anthony also could have been released while the case was pending. He would have been subject to a pre-trial bond of $250,000, though the district attorney could have argued for different bond conditions.

Anthony was convicted in June of murdering Metcalf, who was stabbed during a confrontation in the stands at Kuykendall Stadium on April 2, 2025.

Anthony’s bid for a new trial focused in part on what happened behind closed doors before his murder trial began and an informal agreement between prosecutors and the defense over what evidence would be presented to jurors.

During the first day of the hearing Thursday, defense attorney Mike Howard, who represented Anthony during his original trial, spent hours on the stand describing a "gentleman's agreement" that kept bad character trait evidence about both Anthony and Metcalf out of the trial.

For Anthony, that evidence included prior violent thoughts and behavior, along with his mindset before the track meet. Proposed evidence involving Metcalf and his twin brother, Hunter, included allegations of bullying, fighting and racism.

Howard said the biggest dispute came when Anthony was preparing to testify. According to Howard, prosecutors took the position that the agreement did not cover Anthony if he took the stand, leading to a heated exchange in the judge’s chambers.

Anthony ultimately did not testify because he felt he “wasn’t going to get a fair shake,” Howard said.

Day 2 of retrial hearing focuses on courtroom access, pretrial "gentleman's agreement"

Anthony's former defense attorney, Toby Shook, and prosecutor Bill Wirskye both took the stand in Friday's hearing to testify about Anthony's original trial.

The defense focused heavily on the issue of courtroom access. Anthony’s new attorneys argued that the original judge imposed restrictions that kept members of the public out and violated Anthony’s rights.

Attorneys also focused on the off-the-record gentleman’s agreement, under which the defense and prosecution had agreed to keep damaging character evidence about Anthony and Austin Metcalf out of the trial.

Prosecutors revealed that under the agreement, the jury did not hear about what they said was a documented pattern of Anthony’s interest in guns, knives, and fighting, along with allegations of stalking and threatening his girlfriend, who was in court on Friday.

Judge Chitty said he plans to review all the documents before making his decision.

Day 1 of retrial hearing focuses on character evidence, Anthony's decision not to testify

During Thursday's hearing, attorneys focused on what happened behind closed doors during Anthony's original trial.

Defense attorney Mike Howard, who represented Anthony during his first trial, spent hours on the stand detailing how both sides agreed on what would and would not be presented to jurors. That informal agreement kept bad character evidence about Anthony and Metcalf out of the trial.

For Anthony, that character evidence included prior violent thoughts and behavior, and his mindset before the track meet. Proposed evidence about Austin Metcalf and his twin brother Hunter included allegations of bullying and racism.

According to Howard, the biggest dispute occurred when Anthony was about to testify during the original trial. He said prosecutors took the position that the agreement did not cover Anthony if he took the stand, leading to a heated exchange in the judge’s chambers. Anthony ultimately decided not to testify because he felt he “wasn’t going to get a fair shake.”

Retired District Judge Michael Chitty will continue hearing Anthony's motion on Friday. Chitty has until Monday to rule on the motion for a new trial.

During Friday's hearing, Howard's former co-counsel, Toby Shook, is expected to testify along with several other witnesses. The hearing will resume at 9 a.m.

Trial judge recused

The retrial hearing began a day after a hearing to recuse Judge John Roach, who presided over Anthony's June murder trial.

Appointed San Antonio Judge Sid Harle ruled that Roach should be recused from Anthony’s post-trial proceedings. Anthony’s new defense team, led by Russell Wilson, sought to remove Roach from the case.

The defense cited Roach’s rulings limiting public access, as well as an interview in which Roach agreed the jury got it right and characterized Anthony as “a nice young man who committed a crime.”

Following Roach's recusal, Austin Metcalf's father, Jeff, spoke to NBC 5 about Anthony's efforts to get a new trial.

"Let's see what happens tomorrow," Metcalf said. "Let's see if they’re still celebrating tomorrow, because if he’s still granted a new trial, he could get more years."

Murder of Austin Metcalf

Frisco Police were called to Kuykendall Stadium at about 10 a.m. on April 2, 2025, after 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony stabbed 17-year-old Austin Metcalf in the chest during a confrontation in the stands.

According to witnesses, an argument began when Metcalf, a Memorial High School junior, told Anthony, a Centennial High School student, to move from underneath Memorial’s pop-up tent used during a downpour.

When he was told to leave, Anthony immediately opened his bag, reached in, and said to the victim, "Touch me and see what happens," according to witnesses. When Metcalf pushed Anthony, a witness said Anthony unexpectedly pulled a black knife from the bag, stabbed Metcalf in the chest, and ran away.

The death drew national attention in part because of social posts that amplified the case over race. Anthony is Black, and Metcalf was white. Anthony told police he was protecting himself during the confrontation, but prosecutor Bill Wirskye told jurors during opening remarks that it was a “senseless murder" and not a case of self-defense.

Austin Metcalf's father, Jeff Metcalf, said his son didn't know Anthony, and that Austin's twin brother, Hunter, was nearby when the confrontation took place and not only saw his brother get stabbed but he tried to stop the bleeding.

Frisco Police said that despite lifesaving measures by police and fire personnel, including CPR and the administration of blood, Metcalf died in his twin's arms.

Jeff Metcalf said his son had a 4.0 GPA, was the MVP of the football team, and had a bright future, including attending college.

Anthony admitted to stabbing Metcalf and claimed self-defense. When an officer referred to Anthony as the 'alleged suspect,' Anthony reportedly responded, "I'm not alleged; I did it," and asked whether the stabbing could be considered self-defense and if Metcalf was OK.

The incident took place at the 11-5A championship district track meet, which included more than 100 students from eight schools. The district said that moments after the stabbing, the stadium was immediately secured, the meet was suspended, and all students were returned to their home campuses "with expediency."