Texas Judge Rejects Karmelo Anthony’s Bid for New Murder Trial
MCKINNEY, Texas — A Texas judge has rejected a bid by 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony for a new trial, solidifying his murder conviction in the fatal
MCKINNEY, Texas — A Texas judge has rejected a bid by 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony for a new trial, solidifying his murder conviction in the fatal stabbing of his classmate Austin Metcalf. The decision, handed down on Saturday, August 22, 2026, by retired District Judge Michael Chitty, means the teenager will continue serving his 35-year prison sentence.
The ruling deals a heavy blow to the defense team, which sought to overturn the June conviction by arguing that the original legal process was deeply compromised. Had Chitty approved the motion, the previous murder conviction would have been suspended. Instead, the decision keeps the guilty verdict intact, reinforcing the jury's earlier finding that Anthony intentionally killed 17-year-old Metcalf during a track meet in April 2025.
The Broken "Gentleman's Agreement"
The request for a retrial hinged on several controversial procedural issues. Anthony's new legal team argued that county prosecutors breached an off-the-record "gentleman's agreement" designed to limit the scope of the trial. According to the defense, both sides had agreed to focus strictly on the day of the stabbing at the Frisco Independent School District track meet, leaving out past allegations that could damage the moral character of both teenagers.
Defense attorneys claimed the state reneged on this pact at the last minute. This sudden shift forced Anthony to abandon his plans to testify. His testimony was supposed to be the cornerstone of his self-defense claim.
The defense failed to persuade.
In addition to the broken agreement, Anthony's lawyers raised constitutional concerns regarding public access to the trial, citing potential Sixth Amendment violations. They also criticized the previous trial judge, who was later recused from the appeals process, for giving what they described as unclear instructions to the jury.
The State Defends the Verdict
Judge Chitty, who was brought in from Kaufman County to hear the matter, denied the motion after a two-day hearing that extended late into Friday evening. In his written order, Chitty noted that after reviewing the motion, the trial record, and the relevant case law, the court determined the request must be denied.
Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis expressed satisfaction with the court's decision. Willis stated that the prosecution respected and expected the ruling, adding that the jury's guilty verdict stands. He noted that while every defendant has the right to appeal, the state remains confident in the integrity of the process.
For the family of Austin Metcalf, the decision offers some stability after a painful week of hearings. Russell Wilson, one of Anthony's defense attorneys, expressed sharp disappointment with the outcome, stating that the legal team respectfully disagrees with Chitty's ruling and remains committed to protecting their client's rights.
Next Steps in the Dallas Appeals Court
The legal battle is far from over. With the local motion denied, Anthony's defense team is preparing to take the case to the Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas.
This next step allows the defense to present their arguments to a higher panel of judges, where they can raise the same constitutional objections or introduce new allegations to challenge the conviction. Anthony remains held as his legal team prepares their appellate briefs.
