Texas Judge Refuses to Overturn Murder Conviction in High School Track Meet Stabbing

A Dallas-area judge on Saturday declined to grant a new trial for Karmelo Anthony, 19, who faces 35 years in prison following his June conviction for the April 2025 fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf, 17, at a high school track competition. Judge Michael Chitty issued a brief order rejecting the retrial request after hearing arguments during a two-day proceeding near the city this week, though he provided no detailed reasoning in his half-page decision.

The killing generated significant national media coverage and sparked online harassment affecting both the victim’s and defendant’s families. Social media activity surrounding the case frequently invoked racial themes, given that Anthony is Black and Metcalf was white. Both prosecution and defense counsel instructed jurors that race held no bearing on the underlying facts.

Anthony’s legal team mounted multiple grounds for the retrial request, including assertions that trial judge John Roach imposed overly restrictive courtroom protocols that prevented public observation of proceedings. The defense also sought Roach’s recusal after learning he had granted a post-trial television interview claiming the jury “got it right.” Roach maintained his rules were essential to ensure fair proceedings, while prosecutors argued he committed no impropriety.

The jury determined Anthony’s self-defense narrative during the bleachers confrontation lacked credibility. Defense attorney Russell Wilson announced plans to pursue an appeal, stating the team remained committed to exhausting all available legal remedies on his client’s behalf. Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis expressed confidence in the trial’s integrity and extended condolences to the Metcalf family.