Judge Denies Retrial for Karmelo Anthony in Track Meet Killing

Judge Michael Chitty denied Karmelo Anthony's request for a new trial in the stabbing death of Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet, upholding the original conviction and 35-year sentence. The denial came after a two-day hearing near Dallas, where Chitty reviewed evidence and arguments without elaboration.

Anthony, now 19, was convicted of murder in June for the April 2025 killing of Metcalf, who was 17 at the time. Russell Wilson, Anthony's attorney, announced plans to appeal, stating that the defense would continue advocating vigorously on his behalf through every lawful avenue available.

The retrial request centered around an off-the-record agreement between prosecutors and Anthony's trial defense team to keep damaging character evidence about both teenagers out of the proceeding. Both sides agreed to hold back evidence that risked further inflaming a case already boiling with racial tensions and death threats, as reported by HuffPost.

The case attracted widespread attention in part because of a flood of social media posts that amplified the killing in racial terms. Anthony is Black; Metcalf was white. Lawyers on both sides told jurors that the case had nothing to do with race. However, worries that prosecutors would renege on the agreement as Anthony prepared to testify led his attorneys to change their defense strategy at the eleventh hour, ultimately deciding not to have him testify.

Prosecutor Bill Wirskye defended the trial as fair this week. Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis expressed respect for the court's decision and confidence in the process after the denial was announced. Anthony's attorneys also demanded a retrial due to strict courtroom rules imposed by trial judge John Roach, which they argued limited public access to the proceedings.

Roach was removed from the case after concerns over appearances of bias were raised. The defense presented an 18-minute video featuring audio from an interview with Roach, where he stated his belief that the jury had reached the correct verdict. Retired Kaufman County District Judge Michael Chitty is now presiding over the hearing following Roach's recusal.

The incident occurred during a track meet where several schools were competing. Witnesses testified that Anthony refused to leave a tent belonging to Metcalf's team, leading to an escalating confrontation in the stadium bleachers. Prosecutors argued that Anthony provoked Metcalf and was the aggressor in the altercation.