Despite new evidence revealing Austin Metcalf’s troubling past, a judge has denied Karmelo Anthony’s request to appeal for a new trial. Now, the 19-year-old’s case will head to a Texas appeals court.
In April 2025, Anthony, who was 17, was accused of fatally stabbing 17-year-old Metcalf. The incident took place at a school track meet in Frisco. During the trial, Anthony’s former attorneys argued that he acted ins elf-defense. However, prosecutors called the killing “unjustified” and “plain and simple murder.”
In June 2026, a Collin County jury (comprised of non-Black jurors) convicted the 19-year-old of first-degree murder after three hours of deliberation. Shortly after, the jury sentenced him to 35 years in prison, with a White judge imposing the order. Anthony did not testify in his own defense during the trial.
Judge Denies Karmelo Anthony’s Motion To Appeal For New Trial After Murder Conviction And 35-Year Sentence In Austin Metcalf Stabbing
Two months later, Anthony’s appeal request has been denied. On Saturday (August 22), news broke revealing retired Kaufman County District Judge Michael Chitty denied Anthony’s motion for a new trial. In the teen’s request, his new legal team alleged in part that a “gentleman’s agreement” between his former trial attorneys impacted his ability to testify in his own defense.
The new attorneys claimed he was “coerced” into waiving his right to testify. This due to a dispute between his defense attorneys and prosecutors. Both sides argued whether his testimony would be covered by the agreement limiting certain character evidence in his trial. Anthony’s new defense attorneys allege this denied him a “complete defense.”
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In response to Anthony’s conviction appeal request, Chitty wrote:
“Upon reviewing the motion, the record, the evidence and argument, the briefs, and the relevant case law, the Court has determined the motion should be denied.”
Reacting to the decision, Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said:
“We respect, and expected, the court’s decision denying the motion for a new trial. The jury’s guilty verdict stands, and we remain confident in the process. Every defendant has the right to appeal, and our thoughts and prayers remain with the Metcalf family in the painful wake of last week’s hearing.”
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