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Judge removed in Texas
A Texas judge who presided over Karmelo Anthony’s murder conviction was removed from the case Wednesday ahead of a key hearing on whether to grant a new trial in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old athlete Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet.
“The judge who presided over Texas teenager Karmelo Anthony’s murder conviction was removed from the case Wednesday”
Anthony, now 19, was convicted and sentenced to 35 years in prison in June after a Collin County jury rejected his claims of self-defense during a confrontation with Metcalf in the stadium bleachers.
The removal followed defense efforts to recuse District Judge John Roach from post-trial proceedings, including concerns tied to a TV interview in which the judge said jurors “got it right” when they delivered a guilty verdict.
ABC News reported that Roach imposed a gag order and barred electronics from the courtroom, and that the defense motion cited “problematic comments” Roach made in an interview after the verdict.
In McKinney, Texas, cheers erupted in the hallway and some Anthony supporters chanted “Free Karmelo!” in the parking lot as the case moved toward Thursday’s hearing.
Recusal arguments and quotes
During Wednesday’s hearing, defense attorney Russell Wilson argued that Roach “gave public comment about an impending proceeding,” which should be an “automatic recusal,” according to ABC Dallas affiliate WFAA.
Prosecutor Bill Wirskye argued Roach didn’t do anything wrong and said there was a “concerted effort from social media and influencers to disrupt” the high-profile trial, according to WFAA.
Visiting Judge Sid Harle granted the defense motion to recuse Roach, writing that there were grounds for recusal because the evidence showed the respondent judge’s impartiality “might reasonably be questioned.”
The Associated Press reported that Roach was asked in the interview if the jury got “it right,” and Roach responded: “Yeah, they did,” adding: “Whatever they say, they got it right.”
People walked out of the courtroom cheering loudly and crying, while a crowd of dozens in the parking lot shouted chants including “Free Karmelo!” as the hearing concluded.
Next hearing and stakes
A hearing on Anthony’s motion for a new trial is scheduled for Thursday, after visiting Judge Sid Harle ordered that another judge “preside over all further proceedings.”
““look forward to presenting the merits of Karmelo's motion for a new trial to a fair and independent judge.””
Anthony’s attorneys said they are “pleased” by Harle’s decision to recuse Roach and said they “look forward to presenting the merits of Karmelo's motion for a new trial to a fair and independent judge.”
The case centers on the fatal stabbing at a Frisco Independent School District stadium on April 2, 2025, during a track and field competition involving multiple schools in the district.
ABC News said prosecutors called the deadly stabbing “unjustified” and “plain and simple murder,” while the defense argued Anthony acted in self-defense when he stabbed 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a track meet in Frisco in April 2025.
Courthouse News reported that Harle granted the defense’s request to recuse Roach “out of an abundance of caution,” and said, “I believe he could be fair in this matter — it is a very high bar to recuse.”
