Texas Judge Denies New Trial for Karmelo Anthony Amid Disputed Evidence Deal

In McKinney, Texas, retired District Judge Michael Chitty denied Karmelo Anthony’s bid for a new trial, maintaining his murder conviction and 35-year prison term. Anthony’s lawyers argued that courtroom access restrictions, hearings held without him, and a contested oral agreement between his original defense team and prosecutors infringed on his Sixth Amendment rights. The hearing was triggered by Judge Sid Harle’s removal of Judge John Roach, who had been accused of bias after publicly praising the jury’s verdict.

Former lead counsel Mike Howard and attorney Toby Shook testified that the unwritten deal was intended to prevent character evidence from reaching the jury and to allow Anthony to testify, but prosecutors later claimed the pact did not cover his testimony. Prosecutor Bill Wirske disputed the alleged breach, saying the agreement’s terms were never clarified. The court also considered claims that jury instructions limited jurors’ ability to consider self-defense. Anthony was convicted in June for stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a Frisco track meet.