Defense Asks Judge to Step Aside in Karmelo Anthony Case, Seeks New Trial

By Stacy M. Brown

Senior Global Correspondent

The attorneys representing Karmelo Anthony have asked that the judge who presided over his murder trial step aside from the case, arguing that an independent judge should decide whether Anthony deserves a new trial.

In filings announced by the Stand With Karmelo Coalition, Anthony’s appellate attorneys submitted a verified motion seeking to recuse Judge John Roach from all remaining post-trial matters. They also filed a motion for a new trial that raises constitutional and legal questions they contend should be considered by a different judge.

“Our appellate team has been retained following the conviction to conduct a fresh, independent review of the trial record,” the coalition said in a statement. “We recognize the profound loss suffered by one young man’s family and the uncertainty facing another, and we extend our respect to everyone whose lives have been forever changed by these events. Our responsibility is to determine whether a legal error occurred and to ensure that every issue supported by the record is fully and vigorously presented on appeal.

“The appellate process exists for precisely this purpose.”

Anthony was convicted June 9 of first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, in April. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison later that day.

According to the coalition, the appellate team is serving on a pro bono basis and is reviewing the trial record while preparing Anthony’s appeal.

Russell Wilson of the Law Office of Russell Wilson II in Dallas will serve as lead counsel. The legal team also includes Gary Bledsoe of the Bledsoe Law Firm PLLC and president of the Texas NAACP; Michael L. Ware of the Law Office of Michael Ware; Brooke Cluse of Ben Crump Law; Sean Daredia of Daredia Law Firm; and Justin A. Moore of Stafford Moore PLLC. Ware will serve as second chair and Bledsoe as third chair.

The attorneys are based in Dallas, Austin, Frisco, and Fort Worth. Cluse practices from Ben Crump Law’s Frisco office, the city where the fatal confrontation occurred.

The filings followed the release of court exhibits by the Collin County court. The materials include police body camera footage from Anthony’s arrest, photographs of the knife introduced as evidence during trial, and surveillance video showing Anthony and Metcalf at the track meet before the stabbing.

Judge Roach said the decision to restrict media access during the trial was intended to protect the judicial process.

“I understood the public’s desire to know what happened in the courtroom,” Roach said. “The overwhelming focus on my ruling regarding the media in the courtroom was to protect the process, witnesses, and jury.”

If another judge is assigned to the case, that judge would decide the motion for a new trial. If the motion is denied, Anthony’s attorneys are expected to file a direct appeal challenging his conviction.