After the judge who previously presided over the Karmelo Anthony case was removed, a new judge will now decide whether Anthony will receive a new trial.
Retired District Judge Michael Chitty is hearing Anthony’s motion for a new trial, which would effectively set aside his current conviction and sentence.
In April 2025, during a Texas high school track meet in Frisco, Anthony, 17 at the time and a student at Centennial High School, entered the Memorial High School team’s tent. Metcalf, a Memorial High School student, told Anthony to leave because he was not part of their team.
During the confrontation, Anthony pulled a 2-inch knife from his bag and stabbed Metcalf in the heart, causing him to bleed out in his twin brother’s arms.
In June, Anthony was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison. He will become eligible for parole after serving half of his sentence.
Shortly after his sentencing, Anthony filed a notice of appeal.
Almost two months later, Anthony is back in court with a new legal team. His attorneys are asking for a new trial, arguing that the initial proceedings were tainted by strict courtroom rules, including a ban on cameras, as well as improper jury instructions.
Anthony was sentenced on June 9. Under Texas State law, a judge must rule on a motion for a new trial within 75 days of sentencing. If a judge does not rule on a motion for a new trial within that timeline, the motion is considered denied.
The 75-day deadline expires on Monday, making Thursday’s hearing especially time-sensitive.
Criminal appellate lawyer Brett Ordiway told Fox News that if Chitty grants the motion for a new trial, the case would return back to the point before sentencing, allowing Anthony to have a new jury trial or negotiate a plea agreement.
If Anthony’s motion is denied, however, his legal team would continue on a direct appeal that would be decided by a three-panel judge of the Texas Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas.
Texas lawmakers and others have also commented on Anthony’s case, with Democrat U.S. Senate hopeful James Talarico saying Anthony’s conviction was a tragedy and that it was evidence the criminal justice system is “not working for Black Texans.”
Talarico’s comments came during a Aug. 5 appearance on “The Breakfast Club” where he said he has done extensive work to reform the criminal justice system.
“I’ve done a lot of work in the state House on justice reform, and right now we’ve got a system that doesn’t serve all Americans equally, and we know that Black Texans have not gotten the justice they deserve in many cases,” said Talarico. “I’m not an expert on this particular case, but I know that there were no Black members of the jury, and to me, that’s the only evidence you need to really prove that this system is not working for Black Texans.”
Anthony’s hearing on the motion for a new trial is ongoing.
