A teenager found guilty of murdering another student during a high school track event is now seeking to have his conviction overturned. His legal team has initiated efforts for a retrial.
Last month, 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony was convicted of the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a track meet in Frisco, Texas, which occurred in April 2025. The jury in Collin County reached a verdict of guilty in under three hours, dismissing Anthony’s claim of self-defense, resulting in a 35-year prison sentence. Anthony promptly filed an appeal against the conviction.
In a new twist, Anthony’s legal team has formally requested that his conviction be completely dismissed.
According to a statement from Anthony’s attorneys, they have submitted a Verified Motion to Recuse, seeking the removal of Judge John Roach, who oversaw the initial trial, from any future proceedings.
Additionally, the defense has filed a motion for a new trial, citing ‘constitutional and legal challenges’ related to the original trial. The defense is requesting these issues be reviewed by an independent judge.
The current legal team for Anthony has not specified why they seek Judge Roach’s removal.
Judge Roach has not publicly commented on the filing.
Attorney Lee Merritt, who is not officially part of Anthony’s defense but has been advising his family, previously indicated that the appeal might address issues such as potential racial bias in jury selection, as no Black jurors were selected, and whether Anthony had competent legal representation during his trial. Merritt has criticized Anthony’s initial defense team, although these are claims from an outside adviser and not court-verified findings.
Michael Ware of the Texas Innocence Project is involved with Anthony’s new legal team. However, Anthony is a private client of Ware’s, not a part of the Innocence Project’s caseload.
The incident began when Metcalf was instructed by his coach to prevent others from sitting under his school’s tent. Anthony was repeatedly asked to leave, which escalated to a confrontation that ended with Metcalf being fatally stabbed.
If a new trial is granted, it could take a considerable amount of time to resolve. During this period, Anthony remains in protective custody at the Wallace Pack Unit in Navasota, Texas.
UNILAD has reached out to representatives for Karmelo Anthony, Mike Ware, Judge John Roach Jr., Lee Merritt, and the Collin County District Attorney’s office for comment.