A newly-appointed judge in Collin County has denied a motion for a new trial for Karmelo Anthony, the teenager convicted of murdering 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a track meet in Frisco in 2025. The ruling came on Saturday, following an appeal hearing last week that unveiled a controversial “gentlemen’s agreement” from the initial trial, which concealed critical information about both the accused and the victim.
Now that Anthony’s request for a new trial has been rejected, his case will advance to the Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas. However, the appeals process may extend the timeline, potentially delaying a hearing until 2027.
Karmelo Anthony’s Trial and Sentencing
Karmelo Anthony was convicted in June for the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf, for which he received a 35-year prison sentence. Judge Michael Chitty ruled against Anthony’s new trial motion on August 22.
During the recent hearing, Anthony’s new legal representatives contended that his rights were infringed upon due to undocumented discussions held by former Collin County Judge John Roach, who had recused himself from the appeal. They also claimed that Anthony’s Sixth Amendment right to a public trial was violated because of restrictions on courtroom access during the original trial.
A significant point of contention in the hearing was the aforementioned “gentlemen’s agreement” that prevented certain character evidence regarding both Anthony and Metcalf from being presented in court. While prosecutors asserted that the courtroom remained accessible to the public and media, the defense argued that the decision to discontinue using an overflow room improperly restricted public access.
Next Steps in the Appeals Process
Despite the denial of his new trial motion, Anthony’s legal team is committed to continuing the appeals process. The motion for a new trial is typically a standard procedure undertaken by defense attorneys.
According to Gary Udashen, an appellate attorney not involved in the case, while the appeal could be expedited, the inherent delays in the legal system may result in a hearing not taking place until 2027. Anthony’s team has expressed their determination to pursue every possible legal option on his behalf.
Udashen noted, “Everything that transpired during the motion for a new trial will be included in the appeal. A transcript of that hearing, along with the trial transcripts, will be sent to the Court of Appeals.” He emphasized that the defense will likely reiterate the same arguments during the appeal that were presented in the new trial motion.
The Incident Background
Karmelo Anthony was found guilty of murdering Austin Metcalf on April 2, 2025, during a regional high school track meet at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco. Investigators reported that Anthony, then a student at Centennial High School, was seated under the Memorial High School team tent when Metcalf, a student from Memorial, asked him to leave. There was no evidence to suggest that the two had prior knowledge of each other before the incident.
Surveillance footage released post-trial captured the moments leading up to the confrontation and Anthony fleeing the scene after the stabbing. Witnesses identified him to a school resource officer shortly after the incident, and police body camera footage revealed Anthony claiming he acted in self-defense, stating that Metcalf “put his hands on me.” In another recording, he admitted to the officer, “I did it,” after being identified as the suspect.
The aftermath of the incident included a 911 call reporting a stabbing under the tent, leading to the arrival of emergency services. Images of the knife used in the attack and additional surveillance footage were also disclosed following the trial.
Throughout the proceedings, Anthony has maintained his stance that he acted in self-defense.
