Topline: Karmelo Anthony is asking for a new trial after his lawyers said a last-minute dispute over what evidence prosecutors could raise kept him from testifying in the Texas track meet stabbing case that ended with a 35-year sentence.
Published: August 24, 2026 11:34 am ET
Must Read
Left: Austin Metcalf (courtesy WFAA via CNN Newssource). Right: Karmelo Anthony (via Frisco Police Department). Background: Aerial coverage of the crime scene. (via ABC News)
McKINNEY, TX — Karmelo Anthony is seeking a new trial after his lawyers said he planned to testify in his murder case over a fatal track meet stabbing but backed out when a last-minute dispute erupted over what prosecutors might be allowed to bring up before jurors.
Anthony, 19, was sentenced in June to 35 years in prison for the killing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, a student from a rival school who was stabbed during a confrontation at a track competition last year. During a retrial hearing that ended Friday, defense lawyers argued Anthony’s decision not to take the stand was affected by confusion over an agreement about inflammatory character evidence, according to Associated Press reporting published by WSVN.
Defense attorney Toby Shook told the judge it was essential for jurors to hear Anthony explain why he says he acted in self-defense. Another defense lawyer, Russell Wilson, argued the dispute between the legal teams unfolded just as Anthony was making the biggest decision of his life and affected both his due process rights and his choice not to testify.
Prosecutor Bill Wirskye has defended the original trial as fair and said Anthony testifying was not part of the original agreement. Attorneys on both sides have said jurors never heard some background information because of that deal, including a text Anthony once sent about stabbing someone and claims that Metcalf had a history of fighting and using racist language.
The case has drawn national attention and racial tension since the stabbing. Anthony is Black and Metcalf was white, though lawyers told jurors during trial that race was not behind the confrontation. Prosecutors also said the trial unfolded under heightened security after threats against a judge, fake autopsy reports circulating online, attempts to intimidate witnesses and protective orders sought by some witnesses’ parents.
Anthony did score one legal win this week when the judge who presided over his trial was removed from the case. State District Judge Michael Chitty is now handling the retrial request after Anthony’s lawyers argued the previous judge, John Roach, should be removed in part because he said in a TV interview that jurors got it right. Chitty had not said by Friday evening when he would rule.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Karmelo Anthony Seeks New Trial After Lawyers Say He Backed Out of Testifying in Track Meet Stabbing Case
Karmelo Anthony is asking for a new trial after his lawyers said a last-minute dispute over what evidence prosecutors could raise kept him from testifying in the Texas track meet stabbing case that ended with a 35-year sentence.
By Aaron Stephensen
Published: August 24, 2026 11:34 am ET
Left: Austin Metcalf (courtesy WFAA via CNN Newssource). Right: Karmelo Anthony (via Frisco Police Department). Background: Aerial coverage of the crime scene. (via ABC News)
McKINNEY, TX — Karmelo Anthony is seeking a new trial after his lawyers said he planned to testify in his murder case over a fatal track meet stabbing but backed out when a last-minute dispute erupted over what prosecutors might be allowed to bring up before jurors.
Anthony, 19, was sentenced in June to 35 years in prison for the killing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, a student from a rival school who was stabbed during a confrontation at a track competition last year. During a retrial hearing that ended Friday, defense lawyers argued Anthony’s decision not to take the stand was affected by confusion over an agreement about inflammatory character evidence, according to Associated Press reporting published by WSVN.
Defense attorney Toby Shook told the judge it was essential for jurors to hear Anthony explain why he says he acted in self-defense. Another defense lawyer, Russell Wilson, argued the dispute between the legal teams unfolded just as Anthony was making the biggest decision of his life and affected both his due process rights and his choice not to testify.
Prosecutor Bill Wirskye has defended the original trial as fair and said Anthony testifying was not part of the original agreement. Attorneys on both sides have said jurors never heard some background information because of that deal, including a text Anthony once sent about stabbing someone and claims that Metcalf had a history of fighting and using racist language.
The case has drawn national attention and racial tension since the stabbing. Anthony is Black and Metcalf was white, though lawyers told jurors during trial that race was not behind the confrontation. Prosecutors also said the trial unfolded under heightened security after threats against a judge, fake autopsy reports circulating online, attempts to intimidate witnesses and protective orders sought by some witnesses’ parents.
Anthony did score one legal win this week when the judge who presided over his trial was removed from the case. State District Judge Michael Chitty is now handling the retrial request after Anthony’s lawyers argued the previous judge, John Roach, should be removed in part because he said in a TV interview that jurors got it right. Chitty had not said by Friday evening when he would rule.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Karmelo Anthony Seeks New Trial After Lawyers Say He Backed Out of Testifying in Track Meet Stabbing Case
Karmelo Anthony is asking for a new trial after his lawyers said a last-minute dispute over what evidence prosecutors could raise kept him from testifying in the Texas track meet stabbing case that ended with a 35-year sentence.
By Aaron Stephensen
Published: August 24, 2026 11:34 am ET
Left: Austin Metcalf (courtesy WFAA via CNN Newssource). Right: Karmelo Anthony (via Frisco Police Department). Background: Aerial coverage of the crime scene. (via ABC News)
McKINNEY, TX — Karmelo Anthony is seeking a new trial after his lawyers said he planned to testify in his murder case over a fatal track meet stabbing but backed out when a last-minute dispute erupted over what prosecutors might be allowed to bring up before jurors.
Anthony, 19, was sentenced in June to 35 years in prison for the killing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, a student from a rival school who was stabbed during a confrontation at a track competition last year. During a retrial hearing that ended Friday, defense lawyers argued Anthony’s decision not to take the stand was affected by confusion over an agreement about inflammatory character evidence, according to Associated Press reporting published by WSVN.
Defense attorney Toby Shook told the judge it was essential for jurors to hear Anthony explain why he says he acted in self-defense. Another defense lawyer, Russell Wilson, argued the dispute between the legal teams unfolded just as Anthony was making the biggest decision of his life and affected both his due process rights and his choice not to testify.
Prosecutor Bill Wirskye has defended the original trial as fair and said Anthony testifying was not part of the original agreement. Attorneys on both sides have said jurors never heard some background information because of that deal, including a text Anthony once sent about stabbing someone and claims that Metcalf had a history of fighting and using racist language.
The case has drawn national attention and racial tension since the stabbing. Anthony is Black and Metcalf was white, though lawyers told jurors during trial that race was not behind the confrontation. Prosecutors also said the trial unfolded under heightened security after threats against a judge, fake autopsy reports circulating online, attempts to intimidate witnesses and protective orders sought by some witnesses’ parents.
Anthony did score one legal win this week when the judge who presided over his trial was removed from the case. State District Judge Michael Chitty is now handling the retrial request after Anthony’s lawyers argued the previous judge, John Roach, should be removed in part because he said in a TV interview that jurors got it right. Chitty had not said by Friday evening when he would rule.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
