The legal proceedings involving Karmelo Anthony are entering a new phase after a newly ᴀssembled team of attorneys announced it will represent him in his appeal of his murder conviction.

Anthony, 19, was sentenced to 35 years in prison after a Texas jury found him guilty of murdering 17-year-old Austin Metcalf in the fatal stabbing that occurred during a high school track meet in Frisco in April 2025. He filed a notice of appeal less than 24 hours after the verdict.

Now, a new group of appellate, criminal defense, and civil rights attorneys has formally taken over his appeal. The attorneys said they will represent Anthony on a pro bono basis while conducting what they described as an independent review of the trial record to determine whether any legal errors occurred during the proceedings.

According to the legal team, the appeal will focus on carefully examining the trial transcript and identifying any issues that could be raised before the appellate court. They have not publicly disclosed the specific legal arguments they intend to pursue.

Legal experts note that bringing in new attorneys after a conviction is common in major criminal cases. Unlike trial lawyers, appellate attorneys typically concentrate on questions of law rather than reexamining factual disputes. Their review may include evidentiary rulings, jury instructions, consтιтutional claims, and other procedural issues that could have affected the outcome of the trial.

The announcement comes as the case continues to receive widespread public attention following Anthony’s conviction. Throughout the trial, prosecutors argued that Anthony intentionally stabbed Metcalf during an altercation, while the defense maintained that he acted in self-defense. The jury ultimately rejected the self-defense claim and returned a guilty verdict.

For Austin Metcalf’s family, the appeal marks another chapter in a case that has already been emotionally difficult. At the same time, Anthony’s supporters argue that the appellate process is an important safeguard to ensure the conviction is reviewed for any potential legal errors.

Although the new legal team has begun its review, no appellate brief has yet been filed outlining the specific grounds for the appeal. As a result, it remains unclear which issues, if any, the attorneys will ultimately ask the appellate court to consider.

The appeal process is expected to take several months or longer. During that time, the appellate court will review the legal arguments presented and determine whether any reversible errors occurred during the trial. Anthony’s conviction and sentence remain in effect while the appeal is pending.