Karmelo Anthony’s legal battle is continuing after newly released court documents revealed that his former defense team and prosecutors had reached what was described as a “gentleman’s agreement” ahead of his murder trial for the death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf.

Anthony, now 19, was convicted of murder in the April 2025 stabbing of Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison. Anthony admitted stabbing Metcalf but maintained that he acted in self-defense.

According to the newly reported court filings, the agreement between prosecutors and Anthony’s former attorneys restricted both sides from introducing certain character evidence and other potentially prejudicial information about Anthony and the Metcalf family. Anthony’s current lawyers argue that the understanding became particularly important when Anthony was deciding whether to testify.

Anthony ultimately chose not to take the stand. His new legal team contends that disagreements over what prosecutors could introduce if he testified affected that decision and may have deprived him of a fair opportunity to present his defense.

Prosecutors have rejected the suggestion that they acted improperly, maintaining that they followed the court’s rulings and the agreements made during the trial.

Anthony’s lawyers are now seeking a new trial and have also challenged Judge John Roach’s continued involvement in the case, arguing that comments he made after the verdict could raise questions about his impartiality. A separate judge is expected to consider the recusal issue.

The latest filings do not overturn Anthony’s conviction, and the court has not ruled that prosecutors violated his rights. The central question now is whether the alleged agreement and the circumstances surrounding Anthony’s decision not to testify were significant enough to justify reopening the case.

For Metcalf’s family, the proceedings represent another stage in a case that began with the teenager’s death and ended with Anthony’s conviction. For Anthony, the new legal challenge could determine whether he receives another opportunity to argue his self-defense claim before a jury.

The case remains ongoing, and Anthony’s 35-year sentence remains in place unless a court grants his request for further relief.

Source: https://nypost.com/2026/08/14/us-news/karmelo-anthonys-lawyers-struck-gentlemans-agreement-with-prosecutors-ahead-of-austin-metcalf-murder-trial-court-docs/