Karmelo Anthony, who savagely murdered 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet last year, appealed to have his conviction and corresponding 35-year prison sentence thrown out.
Anthony’s attempt to forgo the legal consequences of his actions is off to a rocky start.
‘Im gonna lick there blood off the blade.’
After District Judge John Roach Jr. — who presided over Anthony’s trial — was recused last week from overseeing subsequent steps of the case, Anthony’s lawyers made their play for a new trial before retired Judge Michael Chitty, who replaced Roach.
With the push for a new trial came new character evidence about the killer and his victim — evidence from police reports, school records, and cellphone data that was previously withheld owing to what prosecutor Bill Wirskye referred to as a “gentleman’s agreement” between prosecutors and the defense.
According to court documents referred to in court and reviewed by CBS News, hours before killing Metcalf, Anthony allegedly sent a text message stating, “I’m lowk on the verge.”
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That same morning, the killer’s ex-girlfriend notified a staff member at Centennial High School that Anthony was “engaging in stalking behavior, to include, but not limited to, driving by her home and refusing to allow her to end their relationship,” said prosecutors.
Prosecutors also highlighted text messages where Anthony allegedly admitted to punching girls in the face and committing burglaries; discussed robbing someone for $300; threatened to vandalize a house because of a “grudge”; and told a friend, “Imma shoot the school up tmr” “with my blick.”
According to a message thread between Anthony and his ex-girlfriend presented in court, Anthony allegedly wrote, “I like punching people”; “when get mad I see red”; “when I get mad I blackout”; and “when I get mad I can’t control myself.”
Prosecutors also alleged that Anthony had not only repeatedly threatened to murder his ex-girlfriend but in one instance allegedly texted her, “When I stab sb im gonna lick there blood off the blade,” reported KXAS-TV.
This sharing exercise was a two-way street, and some allegations about Metcalf and his brother were likewise revealed.
Metcalf and his twin brother, Hunter, were once caught spray-painting racist remarks and sentenced to 12 months of juvenile probation. The documents also raised allegations about Metcalf using racial slurs in school, swearing at a teacher, discussing bringing a gun to school, bullying at least two other students, and texting provocative statements.
On Saturday, Judge Chitty denied the defense’s retrial without elaboration.
“Our commitment to our client has not changed,” said Russell Wilson, an attorney for Anthony, reported the Associated Press. “We will continue to advocate vigorously on his behalf through every lawful avenue available.”
The defense will reportedly continue an appeal in the Fifth Court of Appeals.
Blaze News did not immediately receive a response from Wilson.
Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis stated, “We respect, and expected, the court’s decision denying the motion for a new trial.”
“The jury’s guilty verdict stands, and we remain confident in the process. Every defendant has the right to appeal, and our thoughts and prayers remain with the Metcalf family in the painful wake of last week’s hearing,” added Willis.
The Stand With Karmelo Coalition said in response to the ruling,
We continue to maintain that serious constitutional and legal errors denied Karmelo Anthony the fair trial to which he was entitled. The restrictions placed on public access to his trial raised fundamental Sixth Amendment concerns. The defense made consequential decisions throughout the trial in reliance upon an agreement with the State concerning the evidence that would — and would not — be introduced, only to have the State change its position at a critical point in the proceedings. And we maintain that errors in the jury instructions impaired the jury’s consideration of the issue at the very heart of Karmelo’s defense: whether he acted in self-defense.
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