Texas murder conviction under review as judge recusal prompts new-trial bid

Prosecutors say evidence about Karmelo Anthony’s history with knives and violence was withheld from the jury in his murder trial, and Retired Judge Michael Chitty must decide by Monday on a bid for a new trial after Judge John Roach was removed for impartiality concerns. A grant would overturn the conviction and allow a new trial or plea; denial would push the case toward direct appeal. Anthony, 19, was convicted in June of stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a Frisco track meet and sentenced to 35 years in prison, with observers noting that new-trial motions are difficult to win and hinge on whether trial fairness issues were properly addressed.