Collin County residents received an update on the ongoing legal battle of Karmelo Anthony, whose motion for a new trial was denied by Judge Michael Chitty on Aug. 22. The case now proceeds to the Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas, where an appeal hearing may not be scheduled until 2027.
Background of the conviction
Anthony was convicted of murder for the April 2, 2025 stabbing death of 17‑year‑old Austin Metcalf during a regional high‑school track meet at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco. At the time of the incident, Anthony was a student at Centennial High School and was sitting under the Memorial High School team tent when Metcalf, a Memorial student, asked him to leave. Surveillance video released after the trial shows Metcalf and friends approaching the tent, followed by footage of Anthony fleeing the area after the stabbing.
Witnesses identified Anthony to a school resource officer shortly after the incident. Police body‑camera video captured Anthony telling an officer that Metcalf “put his hands on me” and that he acted in self‑defense. In a separate recording, Anthony said, “I did it,” after police referred to him as the alleged suspect. He has consistently maintained that he acted to protect himself.
New‑trial motion and constitutional claims
Anthony’s new legal team argued that his Sixth Amendment right to a public trial was compromised. They pointed to undocumented conferences held by former Collin County Judge John Roach—who was later recused from the appeal hearing—and to pre‑trial hearings that Anthony did not attend. The defense also cited a “gentleman’s agreement” between prosecutors and Anthony’s original attorneys that kept certain character evidence about both Anthony and Metcalf out of the trial.
During closing arguments at the new‑trial hearing, prosecutors asserted that the courtroom remained accessible to the public and media, while the defense claimed that the decision to stop using an overflow room limited public access, violating the Sixth Amendment.
Appeal process ahead
Although the new‑trial request was denied, the appeal will move forward. The motion for a new trial is a routine step for defense counsel, and the appeal will be filed with the Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas. Gary Udashen, an appellate attorney not involved in the case, told FOX 4 that the appeal could be prepared quickly, but the length of the appellate process means a hearing may not occur until 2027.
Udashen explained that the transcript of the new‑trial hearing, along with the trial transcript, will be submitted to the appellate court. He expects the defense to raise the same arguments on appeal that were presented in the new‑trial motion, making those constitutional and procedural issues central to the upcoming review.
What’s next for the community
Anthony’s legal team has said they will pursue every available legal avenue. The case continues to draw attention from local residents who are concerned about the fairness of the trial process and the protection of constitutional rights. As the appeal proceeds, the Collin County legal system will be closely watched for how it handles the procedural claims and the broader implications for public access to courtroom proceedings.
For updates on the appeal and any future court dates, residents are encouraged to follow local court filings and news outlets covering Collin County judicial matters.
Original reporting: Dallas – Ft. Worth Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
