Karmelo Anthony’s defense team struck a strategic deal with Texas prosecutors, known as a “gentleman’s agreement,” aimed at keeping certain evidence under wraps during his trial. This move is part of Anthony’s ongoing effort to overturn his conviction for the murder of Austin Metcalf.
This agreement sought to focus the trial strictly on events that transpired “under the tent” on April 2, 2025. This is a reference to the stabbing incident at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas, according to documents reviewed by the Daily Mail.
Described in legal documents, the “gentleman’s agreement” prevented both defense and prosecution from delving into the backgrounds and personal histories of both Metcalf and Anthony.
Filed in recent weeks, court papers reveal Anthony’s new legal team argued the initial defense avoided discussing the significant domestic violence Anthony had witnessed and endured within his family, due to this agreement.
Mike Howard, representing Anthony during his murder trial, concurred not to present evidence related to the character, reputation, or unrelated violent and racially charged actions of the Metcalf twins, according to the court documents.
Prosecutors wouldn’t mention Anthony’s school disciplinary history and wouldn’t use his cellphone records under the terms of the agreement.
The deal also imposed restrictions on Anthony’s character witnesses at the trial, according to the outlet.
Jeff Metcalf, Austin Metcalf’s father, refused to comment “on ongoing court proceedings,” when approached by the Mail.
“I and the entire prosecution team conducted this trial ethically and in full compliance with the Court’s rulings and any agreements with defense counsel,” Bill Wirskye, the First Assistant at Collin County District Attorney’s Office, told KXAS-TV last month after news of the “gentleman’s agreement” emerged.
The agreement emerged as Anthony’s team of civil rights attorneys – including veteran appellate attorney Russell Wilson, civil rights lawyer Brooke Cluse from Ben Crump Law – try to secure a fresh trial.
Anthony’s lawyers are gearing up for a recusal hearing which will take place on Wednesday in McKinney, Texas.
They are trying to discharge Judge John Roach – who oversaw 19-year-old Anthony’s murder trial – and are claiming his public comments infringed judicial impartiality.
Roach, an elected judge, stood by his decision not to allow cameras into the courtroom as he spoke about the case two days after Anthony was sentenced.
“Yes, it was an easy decision. I’ll tell you why, my primary goal in every case is to make sure the defendant and the prosecution get a fair trial. Period,” he emphatically told WFAA on June 11.
“I have seen from other cases around the country where cameras in the courtroom changed the way that the judge acted, the lawyers act, [and] some of the witnesses acted.
“We were not going to have that here.”
Roach also said the jury came to the correct conclusion because “they were picked based upon the law.”
“They listened to the facts, it happened in this courtroom, and they got a verdict,” the judge, who is retiring on Dec. 31, added.
If Roach is recused, then Anthony’s defense team would file a motion for a new trial, expected to be the following day.
This will be ruled on by August 24. Under Texas law, a court has 75 days from the date of sentencing to rule on a new trial motion. The motion is denied if a judge doesn’t act.