Texas judge defends barring cameras from Karmelo Anthony murder trial
Judge John Roach Jr. has publicly defended his choice to exclude cameras from the courtroom during the trial of Karmelo Anthony, who was convicted for the murder of Austin Metcalf. Anthony is currently appealing a 35-year prison sentence handed down for the fatal stabbing incident. Responding to accusations of bias due to alleged connections with Metcalf’s family, Judge Roach emphasized that ensuring a fair trial was his primary concern, even amidst criticism over the racial aspects of the case.
In the wake of Anthony’s conviction and sentencing, his supporters remain vocal about their discontent and concerns.
The court found Anthony guilty and sentenced him to a 35-year imprisonment on Tuesday, June 9. The conviction stems from an incident where Anthony fatally stabbed 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, last year.
Supporters of Anthony argue that his actions were in self-defense during the altercation with Metcalf.
A courtroom sketch depicts Karmelo Anthony alongside his attorney during the murder trial, as he also appears in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. (Image Credit: Pat Lopez/Texas Department of Criminal Justice)
One of them is Donna Robinson, a parole supervisor within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The Dallas Morning News reported she made a comment on Facebook that cost her her job.
Addressing comments about the sentencing, she wrote “that Anthony would be protected in prison, adding she didn’t care about the victim’s family’s loss,” according to the outlet.
Karmelo Anthony was convicted of killing Austin Metcalf. (Texas Department of Criminal Justice; Jeff Metcalf)
News Media also reported Howard University professor Stacey Patton wrote an opinion article on her Substack “Dear Jeff Metcalf: Your Son Is Dead Because You Failed to Teach Him That Black Boys Have Boundaries,” which essentially blames the victim for the killing.
Another supporter, W. Burlette Carter, who is a professor emerita of law at George Washington University, made her concerns with the trial public following the verdict.
She made a post on X that said, “Karmelo Anthony was entitled to a jury of his peers. He did not get that. On that ground alone, he is entitled to a new trial. Minorities are not interchangeable. The prosecutor’s reported proffered reasons for striking all black jurors —that they were teachers—appears to be pretext. Anthony needs a new lawyer on appeal and in a new trial.”
Karmelo Anthony poses for a new mugshot photo. (Collin County Jail)
Anthony’s trial was made up of jurors who are fellow U.S. citizens — also known as a “jury of one’s peers.” In all criminal prosecutions, the U.S. Constitution says the accused has “the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed.”
News Media has reached out to Howard University, TDCJ, and Burlette Carter for comment.
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