Karmelo Anthony’s defense targets judge who said jury ‘got it right’ after murder conviction

Latest & Breaking News on Fox News

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

A Texas judge will hear arguments Wednesday over whether the judge who presided over Karmelo Anthony’s June murder trial should be removed from his post-trial case, one day before a separate hearing on the convicted murderer’s request for a new trial.

Anthony’s new legal team, led by attorney Russell Wilson II, has asked another judge to remove Judge John Roach from all remaining proceedings, arguing Roach’s public comments after the trial created an appearance of bias.

The recusal hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday. Court records identify Judge Sid Harle as the presiding judge.

KARMELO ANTHONY BLASTS JUDGE IN NEW FILING OVER HANDLING OF MURDER TRIAL

Anthony is expected to attend Wednesday’s hearing, a Collin County official told Fox News Digital. The official said a bench warrant had been issued in the case.

Anthony was convicted in June of murdering 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, who prosecutors said he fatally stabbed during an altercation at a Frisco track meet. A Collin County jury sentenced Anthony to 35 years in prison.

KARMELO ANTHONY FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER IN TEXAS TRACK MEET STABBING

Wilson leads Anthony’s legal team, which filed two motions July 7 – one to recuse Roach and the other seeking a new trial. The new-trial hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday.

The defense argues Roach cannot fairly rule on the post-trial motions because of remarks he made to reporters after the verdict.

KARMELO ANTHONY TRIAL IGNITES RIVAL CAMPS THAT THREATEN TO GET IN JURORS’ HEADS IN TRACK MEET STABBING: EXPERT

KARMELO ANTHONY STAYS SILENT AS ANALYSTS WARN DEFENSE FACES UPHILL BATTLE IN TRACK MEET STABBING TRIAL

The filing cites comments in which Roach said the jury “got it right” and defended several trial rulings, including his handling of courtroom access and the dismissal of three Black prospective jurors.

FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X

Anthony’s attorneys contend those comments have created the appearance that Roach prejudged the defense’s claims.

SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS

The filing does not directly challenge Anthony’s guilt or innocence. Instead, it alleges constitutional and legal errors that the defense says deprived him of a fair trial.

Courtroom sketch showing Judge John Roach at the bench during the Karmelo Anthony trial

LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE

The motion argues Anthony’s trial was not open enough to the public. Cameras were barred from the courtroom and only 27 seats were available for members of the public.

SEND US A TIP

Anthony’s lawyers also accuse prosecutors of breaking an off-the-record agreement about character evidence and other alleged acts unrelated to the murder charge. They argue the dispute forced Anthony to decide whether to testify while risking the introduction of evidence they say could unfairly prejudice jurors.

CONVICTED KILLER KARMELO ANTHONY CLAIMS HE IS ‘PENNILESS’ IN APPEAL DESPITE MAJOR DONOR-FUNDED LEGAL CAMPAIGN

The defense also challenges the jury instructions, arguing they limited jurors’ ability to fully consider Anthony’s claim of self-defense.

LISTEN TO THE NEW ‘CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO’ PODCAST

Roach referred the recusal request to another judge under Texas procedure.

GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL

The outcome of Wednesday’s hearing could determine who handles Anthony’s new-trial motion and other remaining post-conviction matters in the trial court.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital has reached out to Anthony’s defense team for comment.

wp:paragraph