Prosecutors Unveil 2024 Messages in Karmelo Anthony Appeal as Judge Is Removed Over Bias
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 21
Prosecutors Unveil 2024 Messages in Karmelo Anthony Appeal as Judge Is Removed Over Bias
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 21
Summary
Prosecutors showed a Texas court messages jurors never saw at Karmelo Anthony’s murder trial, including an October 2024 text they said described stabbing someone and licking blood from a blade.
The evidence surfaced as the state fought Anthony’s bid for a new trial after his June conviction and 35-year sentence for fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a Frisco track meet.
Anthony’s lawyers argue an unwritten deal to keep character evidence from jurors collapsed when prosecutors said it would not protect him if he testified, deterring him from taking the stand on self-defense.
Judge Sid Harle already removed trial judge John Roach after finding his public comments that the jury “got it right” could make his impartiality reasonably questioned.
Retired Judge Michael Chitty must rule by Monday on claims that the dispute, courtroom-access limits and jury instructions violated Anthony’s constitutional rights; otherwise the motion is denied automatically and the direct appeal proceeds.