Texas judge rejects Karmelo Anthony's new trial bid, leaving 35-year sentence intact

Key points

• Retired District Judge Michael Chitty denied Karmelo Anthony's motion for a new trial on August 22, 2026, after reviewing the court record and arguments.
• The decision leaves Anthony's murder conviction and 35-year prison sentence in place, following his June 2026 conviction for stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf.
• Anthony's defense argued that an unwritten agreement between trial attorneys and prosecutors regarding character evidence coerced Anthony into waiving his right to testify in his own defense.
• Former defense attorneys Mike Howard and Toby Shook testified that they understood the agreement to cover Anthony's testimony, while prosecutor Bill Wirskye disputed this, stating the agreement was intended to limit historical character evidence only.
• Anthony's new appellate lawyer, Russell Wilson, stated the legal team will continue to pursue every legal remedy available through the Fifth Court of Appeals.
• Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis expressed confidence in the jury's verdict and the trial process, noting that the decision was expected.

Background

Karmelo Anthony, 19, was convicted in June 2026 of murdering Austin Metcalf, 17, during an altercation at a Frisco high school track meet in April 2025. The case drew significant attention due to security threats and racial tensions, leading to the removal of original trial judge John Roach for impartiality concerns. A prior archive entry noted that the new trial motion hinged on whether the withheld character evidence and the contested agreement could have altered the verdict. The current decision follows a two-day hearing where both sides presented testimony regarding the unwritten agreement and courtroom restrictions.

How outlets are covering it

Fox News and ABC News emphasize the procedural aspects of the new trial hearing, focusing on the dispute over the unwritten agreement and the judge's denial. ABC News highlights the defense's claim that Anthony was 'coerced' into waiving his right to testify, while Fox News notes the judge's order did not detail his reasoning. CBS News provides a broader context by detailing the character evidence of both Anthony and Metcalf that was withheld from the jury, including Metcalf's history of racial slurs and Anthony's texts about violence and weapons. CNN's coverage is limited to the headline, confirming the denial of the new trial bid. The outlets generally agree on the outcome but differ in their emphasis on the underlying character evidence versus the procedural fairness of the trial.

Why it matters

The denial of the new trial motion is a significant legal milestone in a high-profile case that raised questions about trial fairness and the handling of character evidence. It sets the stage for a direct appeal, which could further scrutinize the trial's procedures and the impact of the unwritten agreement on the verdict. The case also highlights the challenges of managing public attention and security threats in high-profile criminal cases, as well as the complexities of unwritten agreements between legal teams in sensitive trials.

What to watch

Anthony's legal team will file an appeal in the Fifth Court of Appeals, arguing that the issues raised in the new trial motion deserve meaningful review. The prosecution will likely defend the original verdict and the trial process. The case may also see further public scrutiny as the character evidence of both parties becomes more widely known, potentially influencing public opinion and legal precedents regarding the use of character evidence in murder trials.