The Texas judge who presided over the highly publicized murder trial of Karmelo Anthony has spoken publicly about the case, expressing confidence in the jury’s decision while also sharing his perspective on the young defendant.

Judge John Roach addressed the outcome of the trial after Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas.

When asked whether he believed the jury reached the correct verdict, Roach offered a clear response.

“Yes, they did because they were picked based upon the law, they listened to the facts, it happened in this courtroom, and they got a verdict,” he said during an interview with WFAA.

The judge emphasized that the jurors fulfilled their responsibility by carefully considering the evidence presented throughout the proceedings and reaching a decision based on the facts of the case.

Roach also commented briefly on Anthony himself, noting that his personal interactions with the teenager during the trial left him with the impression that Anthony was respectful. However, he stressed that those impressions did not change the seriousness of the crime or its consequences.

“He seems like a nice young man who committed a crime and he understands today more than any day before the consequences of committing a crime like he did,” Roach said.

The case drew widespread attention across the country and generated significant public debate. During the trial, Anthony’s attorneys argued that he acted in self-defense during the confrontation that led to Austin Metcalf’s death.

The defense also sought a “sudden pᴀssion” finding, which would have reduced the severity of the conviction and significantly lowered the potential sentence. Jurors ultimately rejected both the self-defense claim and the sudden-pᴀssion argument.

As a result, Anthony was convicted of murder and received a 35-year prison sentence.

The trial also became the subject of broader public discussions about race, with supporters and critics offering differing interpretations of the events. Anthony is Black, while Metcalf was White, and some commentators argued that race played a role in public perceptions of the case.

Despite the intense media coverage and ongoing public debate, Judge Roach said he remains confident that the proceedings were conducted according to the law.

“As long as I follow the law, I sleep well at night,” he said. “I know I made people mad, but I’m not here to make them happy either.”

The judge’s comments reflected his belief that the court’s role is to ensure a fair legal process rather than respond to public opinion surrounding a high-profile case.

Following the conviction and sentencing, Anthony’s legal team filed a notice of appeal, beginning the next stage of the legal process. The appeal will allow higher courts to review the case and determine whether any legal errors occurred during the trial.

While legal proceedings continue, the case remains a deeply emotional one for those involved, particularly the family of Austin Metcalf, whose death brought national attention to a tragic confrontation that forever changed multiple lives.