The legal battle surrounding the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf has entered a new chapter after attorneys for Karmelo Anthony formally asked the court to grant a new trial, arguing that errors during the original proceedings affected the fairness of the case.

Anthony, 19, was convicted of murder in June 2026 for the fatal stabbing of Austin during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, and was sentenced to 35 years in prison. The case drew nationwide attention because of the tragic circumstances surrounding the confrontation and the intense public debate that followed.

In newly filed court motions, Anthony’s defense team argues that several procedural and consтιтutional issues warrant a new trial. Among their claims, the attorneys allege that prosecutors backed away from an unwritten pretrial agreement regarding the use of character evidence, a change they say influenced Anthony’s decision not to testify in his own defense. They also contend that courtroom restrictions and jury instructions affected his consтιтutional rights and the presentation of his self-defense claim. These allegations are ᴀssertions made by the defense and have not been proven in court.

The defense has also filed a separate motion asking that Judge John Roach be removed from handling post-trial proceedings. According to the filing, the attorneys believe public comments made by the judge after the verdict could create the appearance of bias. Prosecutors have rejected the defense’s characterization of the trial, stating that the proceedings were conducted ethically and in accordance with the court’s rulings.

The court will now consider the defense’s motions before deciding whether a new trial is justified or whether the conviction should stand. Legal experts note that requests for new trials face a high legal standard, and the judge—or another judge if the recusal motion is granted—will evaluate whether any alleged errors materially affected the outcome of the case.

Meanwhile, Austin Metcalf’s family continues to await the next stage of the legal process as the highly publicized case remains in the national spotlight. While the defense pursues post-conviction relief, prosecutors are expected to file formal responses defending the original verdict and opposing the request for a new trial.

Source: The Guardian – Karmelo Anthony seeks new trial after 35-year sentence in killing of Austin Metcalf