Trial judge removed from Karmelo Anthony case as teen seeks new trial
Karmelo Anthony, 19, was convicted and sentenced to 35 years in prison in June for fatally stabbing a fellow student at a high school track meet.
A jury convicted Karmelo Anthony of murdering 17-year-old Austin Metcalf in a high school track meet stabbing incident. Texas judge John Roach, who presided over the trial, has been removed from further proceedings as the teen seeks a new trial. Anthony, 19, was sentenced to 35 years in prison. In a defense motion, Anthony's attorneys questioned the judge's impartiality and the courtroom restrictions imposed by Roach.
Roach imposed a gag order and banned electronics in the courtroom due to the case's high-profile nature. The defense cited Roach's allegedly problematic comments during a post-verdict interview and his public letter defending the trial's fairness. Judge Sid Harle granted the defense motion to recuse Roach, stating that there were grounds for recusal as the judge's impartiality might be questioned.
Anthony's attorneys believe the recusal will allow for a fair trial. Prosecutors disputed the motion, calling it inaccurate and stating that the trial was conducted ethically. A hearing on Anthony's motion for a new trial is scheduled for Thursday.
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