A judge denied a request from Karmelo Anthony seeking a new trial in the murder case of Austin Metcalf.
Retired District Court Judge Michael Chitty handed down the decision on Saturday.
Anthony, now 19 years old, was convicted by a jury in June for fatally stabbing Metcalf, 17 years old, at a Texas high school track meet in 2025 and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Last month, Anthony’s defense team filed two motions, one seeking to disqualify State District Judge John Roach Jr. from overseeing posttrial proceedings, and the other requesting a retrial.
The defense argued that the judge’s posttrial comments and rulings created an “appearance of bias” and deprived Anthony of his right to a fair trial.
Roach was recused and Chitty was appointed to review the motion for a new trial.
The request for the retrial also reportedly involved an off-the-record “gentleman’s agreement” between the defense and the prosecution to not bring up the backgrounds of the defendant and the victim.
The day after his conviction, Anthony had also filed a notice of appeal. According to The Dallas Morning News, after Chitty’s Saturday decision, the case now moves to the Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas.
Hellbound and Down 