Karmelo Anthony, convicted of murder in the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf at a 2025 Texas high school track meet, is currently seeking a new trial in Collin County as a hearing continues this week before a newly assigned judge.
In April 2025, then-17-year-old Anthony (Black, Centennial High School) stabbed 17-year-old Metcalf (white, Memorial High School) in the chest during a confrontation in the bleachers/tent area at a rainy Frisco track meet at Kuykendall Stadium. Witnesses described Anthony refusing to leave the rival team’s tent; after Metcalf pushed him following a warning from Anthony, the stabbing occurred. A Collin County jury convicted Anthony of murder in June 2026 after rejecting his self-defense claim and sentenced him to 35 years in prison. The case drew national attention amid racial tensions amplified on social media, though both sides told jurors race was not a factor.
Anthony’s new pro bono legal team filed a motion for a new trial, arguing constitutional violations. Key claims include that he was effectively coerced into waiving his right to testify due to a dispute over an off-the-record “gentleman’s agreement” between prosecutors and defense to exclude character and extraneous evidence about both teens (to avoid further inflaming tensions, death threats, and harassment); that courtroom restrictions limited public access; that jury instructions were misleading regarding self-defense; and other procedural issues such as undocumented conferences.
On August 19, 2026, the original trial judge, John Roach Jr., was recused after an administrative judge found that post-trial public comments—including stating the jury “got it right”—could reasonably call his impartiality into question for post-trial matters. Retired Kaufman County District Judge Michael Chitty was assigned.
The hearing on the new-trial motion began August 20 and continued into Friday, August 21. Testimony has included Anthony’s trial attorneys (such as Mike Howard) discussing the mutual agreement to withhold evidence—such as details of Anthony’s mental state, violent thoughts or behaviors, and a text fantasizing about stabbing someone, alongside allegations involving Metcalf and his twin brother related to fighting, racist language, or bullying. Prosecutors, led by Bill Wirskye, have maintained the trial was fair, that the agreement aimed to keep the focus on the incident itself amid security concerns for all involved, and that the evidence supported the conviction.
Under Texas rules, Judge Chitty must rule by roughly Monday (within 75 days of the June 9 sentencing) or the motion is denied by operation of law. If granted, the conviction and sentence would be set aside; if denied, the case proceeds to direct appeal. The hearing has drawn continued public interest and family presence from both sides.
SOURCES:
Character evidence revealed in Karmelo Anthony hearing for new trial | Fort Worth Star-Telegram
New details and troubling backgrounds for Austin Metcalf and Karmelo Anthony revealed in retrial hearing – CBS Texas
Karmelo Anthony’s hearing for new trial continues – UPI.com
Karmelo Anthony’s lawyer asks for new trial in Texas track meet killing as new details are revealed | CNN
New judge to consider retrial for Karmelo Anthony in murder of Austin Metcalf – CBS Texas
