Click here for updates on this story
TEXAS (KTVT) — Karmelo Anthony’s defense team won the recusal it requested in a Collin County court on Wednesday, meaning an outside judge will hear his case as he appeals his murder conviction in the stabbing death of Austin Metcalf.
His attorneys asked for a new judge to oversee the 19-year-old’s appeal, which began around 9 a.m. Thursday. Anthony’s legal team argued its motion to recuse State District Judge John Roach Jr. from overseeing the appeals process. Judge Sid Harle, of the Fourth Administrative Judicial Region in San Antonio, was set to hear that motion.
Another hearing on Thursday is when Anthony’s attorneys are expected to present arguments in support of their motion for a new trial. Another judge will now sit for that hearing.
In June, a group of well-known civil rights and criminal defense attorneys announced they would represent Anthony pro bono in his appeals. Dallas appellate attorney David Coale, who has handled appeals for decades, told CBS News Texas after the trial that Anthony’s team could have several strong arguments over whether the trial was handled correctly.
Anthony’s father posted a social media message asking those who stand behind his son’s claim that he stabbed Metcalf in self-defense to show their support by gathering at the courthouse. That’s where authorities broke up confrontations and made some arrests after supporters from both sides clashed.
CBS News Texas reporter J.D. Miles shared updates from inside the courtroom as they happened.
The courtroom filled up with attorneys for both the prosecution and defense. Anthony and Metcalf’s families were also present before Anthony himself was brought in, wearing a dark green jail jumpsuit and in shackles.
Judge Harle convened the hearing and granted the defense’s request to remove Anthony’s shackles. The prosecution did not oppose this.
The defense then published an 18-minute video that included audio from an interview Judge Roach had participated in. Roach, in the audio, said his eagerness to take on the trial stemmed from a sense of duty instilled in him during his time in the Marine Corps and that he had no regrets about taking it. He touched on the months of preparations he made regarding courthouse logistics for the case and described his reputation as “strict, no-nonsense, fair”.
Roach, in the audio, praised the work authorities did handling the atmosphere around the trial while blaming social media users for spreading misinformation and doxxing people connected to the case. He also said he believed the jury did get the verdict right before offering his impression of Anthony.
“I talked to Mr. Anthony a couple of times,” he said, “he seems like a nice young man who committed a crime.”
The defense rested, as did the prosecution, before the start of closing arguments.
The prosecution, represented by Bill Wirskye, made a brief argument, saying “I’m not sure it’s our job at this point to defend the judge.” He also said all items agreed to were “to protect Mr. Anthony and his attorneys.”
Around 10 a.m., Judge Harle made the decision to grant the recusal of Roach from presiding over Anthony’s appeal.
This week’s hearings mark the first major step in Anthony’s post-conviction appeals process following his sentencing. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison in June of 2026 after a jury convicted him. Anthony was accused of killing Metcalf on April 2, 2025, at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco.
“Anthony’s team has their work cut out for them,” said criminal defense attorney Todd Shapiro, who is not connected to the case but has defended clients in Collin County.
He believes Anthony’s motion for a new trial and a new judge is an uphill battle.
“I think [Judge John] Roach ran an incredibly efficient, fair trial,” Shapiro said. “From the media restriction to the crowd control to the sheriff’s department being in control, everything ran as smoothly as you could possibly ask for in a big case like that, and Roach did a great job, and he’s the one responsible for the tone of the trial.”
Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis claims the trial transcript undercut claims made by lead defense attorney Mike Howard. An affidavit from Howard, filed as part of Anthony’s appeal, alleges prosecutors violated a “gentlemen’s agreement” to avoid introducing character or background information about Anthony, Austin Metcalf or Hunter Metcalf. Howard also claims the judge rushed a critical closed‑door hearing, limiting the defense’s ability to prepare.
According to the affidavit, the agreement prevented the defense from using expert witnesses or calling Anthony to testify because it restricted the jury to hearing only “what happened under the tent that day.”
But Willis says the court transcripts – obtained by CBS News Texas – tell a different story.
“It’s clear that many of these claims don’t match what actually happened in court,” Willis said.
During a private meeting between Judge John Roach Jr., prosecutors, and the defense – specifically about whether Anthony would testify – Howard acknowledged that the agreement was intact.
“I agreed that that deal, for lack of a better term, has held. I believe both parties have abided by it,” Howard said.
Judge Roach reminded both sides that he was not bound by any informal agreement.
“I am not here to enforce agreements between parties in a criminal case,” Roach said. “If asked to make a ruling, it will be based on the rules of evidence.”
Howard’s affidavit claims he was “99% sure” Anthony would testify before trial and that the judge declined “to extend our time beyond 10 minutes.”
But the transcript shows the judge gave Anthony a lengthy explanation of his rights. The defense had more than 30 minutes afterward to decide how to proceed, and Anthony was allowed to consult with his parents before making his decision.
Ultimately, Anthony told the judge: “I don’t want to testify.”
Judge Roach then asked whether he had enough time to make that decision: “Did you think you had ample time to talk to your lawyers about that and got feedback from them, feedback from your family? You have had enough time to make that decision?”
Anthony responded: “Yes sir, we did.”
Willis says he was taken aback by Howard’s claims.
“I was surprised, disappointed, and frankly a little confused,” Willis said.
Willis added that the prosecution team, led by Bill Wirskye, handled the case properly.
“I was there for every minute of the trial, and Bill Wirskye – our prosecution team – conducted this case so fairly, and cleanly and professionally,” Willis said.
Howard did not respond to CBS News Texas’ request for comment. He will not participate in the upcoming appeal.
Willis says he believes Anthony’s appeal will be denied.
Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.