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Judge Removed From Karmelo Anthony Texas Murder Case Over Post-Trial Comments
Just the facts
Judge Sid Harle disqualified trial Judge John Roach from further proceedings involving 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony following televised comments in which Roach defended his courtroom decisions and praised the jury verdict. Anthony was convicted in June 2026 and sentenced to 35 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a track meet in Frisco, Texas. Retired District Judge Michael Chitty was assigned to preside over Anthony's motion for a new trial, which alleges improper limits on courtroom access, jury instruction errors, and prosecutorial misconduct regarding character evidence. Under Texas procedural law, Judge Chitty faces an August 24, 2026 deadline—75 days post-sentencing—to rule on the new trial motion before it is automatically denied by operation of law.
Why this is news
District Judge Sid Harle removed presiding Judge John Roach from Karmelo Anthony's murder case after Roach stated in a televised interview that the jury got it right. Retired District Judge Michael Chitty was appointed to consider Anthony's motion for a new trial before a statutory deadline.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.