Karmelo Anthony’s fresh legal representation is claiming the judge in his murder trial was biased and that restrictions in the courtroom breached his constitutional right to a public trial. This assertion comes in a set of post-conviction motions aiming to invalidate his conviction.
Court documents reviewed by FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth reveal that Anthony’s defense team is requesting Judge John Roach of Collin County to step down from any further post-trial activities. Additionally, they are seeking a new trial based on claims of constitutional and legal missteps made during Anthony’s previous prosecution.
At 19, Anthony was found guilty of the murder of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, whom he fatally stabbed during a tense conflict at a Frisco track meet. A jury in Collin County subsequently sentenced him to 35 years in prison.
The artist sketch portrays Judge John Roach presiding over the Karmelo Anthony murder trial. (Pat Lopez)
These motions represent the first significant actions taken by Anthony’s new legal team, under the leadership of attorney Russell Wilson, who has volunteered to handle Anthony’s appeal without charge.
News Media reached out to Wilson’s office for comment. A representative said Wilson is not commenting on the case at this time.
In a news release obtained by FOX 4, the defense said it filed a verified motion to recuse Roach, arguing his public comments following the trial created the appearance that he could not impartially rule on Anthony’s post-trial motions.
Karmelo Anthony is pictured after being transferred to the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. He was transported to his unit of assignment at the Pack Unit near Navasota. (Texas Department of Criminal Justice)
According to the motion, Roach told reporters after the verdict that the jury “got it right” and defended several of his rulings during the trial, including his decision to dismiss three Black prospective jurors and his handling of courtroom access.
The defense argues those statements create an appearance that the judge cannot fairly consider Anthony’s request for a new trial.
The accompanying 63-page motion for a new trial focuses on alleged constitutional violations rather than Anthony’s guilt or innocence.
17-year-old Austin Metcalf was killed during a fatal altercation at a track meet in Frisco, Texas. (Jeff Metcalf)
Among its central claims, the defense argues Anthony’s Sixth Amendment right to a public trial was violated because cameras were barred from the courtroom and only 27 seats were available to members of the public during the proceedings.
The attorneys also argue prosecutors failed to honor an off-the-record evidentiary agreement regarding character and extraneous-act evidence, forcing Anthony to choose between testifying and exposing himself to prejudicial information.
The motion further challenges the jury instructions, claiming they made it more difficult for jurors to fully consider Anthony’s self-defense argument.
The defense contends the cumulative effect of those alleged errors deprived Anthony of a fair trial and warrants a new one.
Following the trial, Roach defended his decision to prohibit cameras from the courtroom, telling Fox News at the time, the restrictions were intended to protect the judicial process, witnesses and jurors while promising greater transparency after the proceedings concluded.
Under Texas law, Roach is expected to refer the recusal motion to a regional administrative judge, who will decide whether a hearing on the request is necessary.
News Media requested copies of the filings from the Collin County Deputy County Administrator and separately sought comment from Roach’s office. Neither immediately responded.