Judge Denies Karmelo Anthony’s Request for New Trial in Austin Metcalf Case

The ruling leaves Anthony’s murder conviction and 35-year prison sentence intact as his legal challenge continues.

MCKINNEY, Texas — A judge has denied Karmelo Anthony’s request for a new trial in the 2025 stabbing death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf.

Retired District Judge Michael Chitty issued the ruling Saturday, August 22, following a two-day hearing in Collin County.

The decision leaves Anthony’s murder conviction and 35-year prison sentence intact.

Judge Rejects New-Trial Request

Chitty's ruling came after attorneys for Anthony spent two days arguing that problems surrounding his original trial justified throwing out the conviction and holding a new trial.

According to reporting on the ruling, the judge reviewed the motion, court record, evidence, arguments, briefs and applicable case law before denying the request.

The ruling does not overturn Anthony’s conviction.

Why Anthony Wanted a New Trial

Anthony’s new defense team argued that his original trial was affected by several issues, including restrictions on public access to the proceedings, private or off-the-record proceedings, jury-instruction issues and an informal agreement between prosecutors and defense attorneys concerning what information about Anthony and Metcalf could be presented.

The defense also argued that the dispute over that agreement contributed to Anthony deciding not to testify in his own defense.

The Dispute Over the “Gentleman’s Agreement”

During the hearing, former defense attorney Toby Shook testified about an informal agreement between prosecutors and Anthony’s original defense team.

The agreement was intended to keep potentially inflammatory information about both Anthony and Metcalf out of the trial and keep the focus on what happened during the track meet.

The defense argued that a disagreement over the agreement damaged Anthony’s confidence in the defense strategy and contributed to his decision not to take the witness stand.

Prosecutor Bill Wirskye disputed that interpretation. He argued that there was no agreement preventing Anthony from testifying and maintained that Anthony received a fair trial.

Anthony Did Not Testify at His Original Trial

One of the central issues raised during the new-trial hearing was Anthony’s decision not to testify.

One of his former attorneys testified that Anthony had initially planned to take the stand. According to the defense, concerns about what prosecutors might ask him following the dispute over the informal agreement caused Anthony to reconsider.

The prosecution maintained that Anthony was not prevented from testifying and defended the fairness of the original proceedings.

New Information Emerged During the Hearing

The new-trial hearing also brought previously undisclosed information about both Anthony and Metcalf into public discussion.

Attorneys said the original agreement had kept certain character information from the jury, including allegations concerning Anthony’s past behavior and information concerning Metcalf’s past.

The information was not presented to the original jury as part of the trial’s agreement to focus on the events surrounding the stabbing.

Those details became part of the new-trial hearing because Anthony’s attorneys argued that the way the agreement was handled contributed to an unfair trial.

Original Trial Judge Was Removed From Post-Trial Proceedings

Before the new-trial hearing began, Judge John Roach Jr., who presided over Anthony’s original murder trial, was removed from further proceedings in the case.

Anthony’s new attorneys argued that Roach’s public comments and courtroom decisions raised questions about his impartiality.

Appointed Judge Sid Harle granted the request to recuse Roach. Retired Judge Michael Chitty was then assigned to consider Anthony’s motion for a new trial.

Anthony’s Original Conviction

Anthony was convicted of murder in June 2026 for the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, on April 2, 2025.

Anthony's defense argued that he acted in self-defense. Jurors rejected that claim and found him guilty.

He was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

What Today’s Ruling Means

Today’s decision does not give Anthony a new trial.

His murder conviction remains in place, as does his 35-year sentence.

However, the denial of the motion for a new trial does not necessarily end Anthony’s legal challenge. His attorneys can continue pursuing his case through the appellate process.

The Bottom Line

Karmelo Anthony will not receive a new trial based on the motion considered by Judge Michael Chitty.

The ruling keeps his murder conviction and 35-year sentence in place while his attorneys continue challenging the case through the legal system.

The case remains active on appeal, meaning this may not be the final legal development in Anthony’s effort to overturn his conviction.