MCKINNEY, TEXAS — State District Judge John Roach was removed from the Karmelo Anthony case on Wednesday. Visiting Senior Judge Sid Harle granted the motion to remove Roach, and Judge Michael Chitty was assigned to consider the motion for a new trial.

A judge is scheduled to consider Anthony's request for a new trial on Thursday. The recusal followed an interview in which Roach publicly affirmed the jury's guilty verdict against the 19-year-old defendant.

Anthony attended the Wednesday hearing wearing a green prison jumpsuit. The parents of Anthony and Austin Metcalf attended the Wednesday hearing, while dozens of supporters gathered inside and outside the Collin County courtroom for the hearing. Some supporters chanted "Free Karmelo!" in the parking lot after the hearing.

Visiting Judge Sid Harle stated in his written order that the evidence was such that Roach's 'impartiality might reasonably be questioned.' Harle stated that although he believed Roach was capable of presiding impartially, the appearance of bias warranted recusal. Prosecutor Bill Wirskye protested the recusal decision, stating Roach did nothing wrong.

Anthony's attorneys argued that strict courtroom rules and improper jury instructions marred the June proceedings. Anthony's attorneys argued that Roach's decision to eliminate access to an overflow room during the trial without an on-the-record explanation violated Anthony's Sixth Amendment right to a public trial. Anthony's attorneys argued that his decision not to testify resulted from a dispute with prosecutors over an agreement to focus the trial on events leading up to the stabbing.

Anthony was convicted of murder in June 2026. Jurors rejected Anthony's claim that he acted in self-defense. Anthony did not testify during his trial.

The case began on May 31, 2025, when Anthony stabbed Austin Metcalf in the chest during a confrontation at a high school track meet. The stabbing occurred in the stadium bleachers during a track event involving several schools. Austin Metcalf was a student at Memorial High School in Frisco, Texas.

Witnesses testified that Austin Metcalf and others repeatedly told Anthony to leave a tent belonging to Metcalf's team. According to a police report, Anthony reached inside a bag and said, "Touch me and see what happens." Witnesses testified that Austin Metcalf pushed Anthony, after which Anthony pulled out a knife and stabbed him.

Anthony is Black and Austin Metcalf was white, a racial dynamic that amplified national attention on the case despite lawyers stating the tragedy had nothing to do with race. The families of Austin Metcalf and Anthony stated they had been targets of harassment as national attention on the killing intensified.

Why It Matters

The removal of a presiding judge for comments made after a verdict shows the strict standards for judicial impartiality in high-profile criminal cases. Visiting Senior Judge Sid Harle granted the motion to remove Judge John Roach based on the appearance of bias, even while stating he believed the judge was capable of presiding impartially. This decision shifts the authority to rule on a new trial motion to Judge Michael Chitty, who must now evaluate claims that courtroom restrictions and jury instructions compromised the original proceedings.

The case has drawn public scrutiny, with supporters gathering at the courthouse and families reporting harassment. The racial dynamic between the defendant and the victim amplified national attention, though legal representatives for both sides stated the tragedy had nothing to do with race. The upcoming hearing will determine whether procedural errors identified by the defense warrant overturning the murder conviction secured in June 2026.

Timeline

On May 31, 2025, Anthony stabbed Austin Metcalf in the chest during a confrontation at a high school track meet.

In the interview, Judge John Roach stated, "Yeah, they did," when asked if the jury got it right. In the interview, Judge John Roach added, "Whatever they say, they got it right."

What's New

Additional details revealed that Austin Metcalf was a student at Memorial High School in Frisco, Texas. Judge Sid Harle stated that although he believed Judge Roach was capable of presiding impartially, the appearance of bias warranted recusal. Visiting Senior Judge Sid Harle granted the motion to remove Judge John Roach.

Prosecutor Bill Wirskye protested the recusal decision, stating Judge Roach did nothing wrong. It was also reported that he stated in a post-trial interview that Anthony 'committed a crime.' Following the hearing, some supporters chanted "Free Karmelo!" in the parking lot after the hearing.