Judge defends camera ban in Karmelo Anthony murder trial in Texas

The judge who presided over the high-profile murder trial of Karmelo Anthony is standing by one of the case’s most controversial decisions, saying keeping cameras out of the courtroom was necessary to ensure a fair trial.

Judge John Roach of the 296th District Court said this week that it was the correct decision to bar cameras and livestreaming during Anthony’s murder trial.

A Collin County jury on Tuesday sentenced Anthony to 35 years in prison after finding him guilty of murder in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Memorial High School student Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas.

In an interview with WFAA following the verdict, Roach defended his decision to bar cameras and livestreaming from the courtroom.

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“Yes, it was an easy decision,” Roach told the station. “I’ll tell you why. My primary goal in every case is to make sure the defendant and the prosecution get a fair trial. Period.”

“I know I made people mad but I’m not here to make them happy either,” he added.

The decision to bar cameras and livestreaming drew criticism from reporters and members of the public who wanted greater access to the proceedings.

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“I had to balance between the media’s right to know and be able to know what’s going on, which I think is extraordinarily important. I think the public had access to the courtroom and see what is going on,” Roach said.

The Texas judge said his goal was to prevent outside commentary and public pressure from influencing the proceedings or the jury.

“As long as I follow the law, I sleep well at night,” Roach said.

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Roach also pushed back on claims that he had a personal relationship with the Metcalf family.

“I wouldn’t know Mr. Metcalf prior to this trial if he walked up to me and said ‘hello,'” he said.

When asked whether the jury reached the correct verdict, Roach said he believed they did.

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“Yes they did because they were picked based upon the law, they listened to the facts, it happened in this courtroom, and they got a verdict,” he said.

Roach also shared his impressions of Anthony following the trial.

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“He seems like a nice young man who committed a crime and he understands today more than any day before the consequences of committing a crime like he did,” he said.

Fox News Digital’s Stepheny Price and Julia Bonavita contributed to this report.