ON
← Back to feed
SEE IT: Disturbing Detail Karmelo Anthony Jury Never Saw
United States🏛️ PoliticsCenteryesterday

SEE IT: Disturbing Detail Karmelo Anthony Jury Never Saw

Karmelo Anthony, who was convicted of murdering Austin Metcalf, had prior behavior that was not presented to the jury during his trial. This included reports that he was stalking an ex-girlfriend and obsessed with weapons, as well as sending threatening messages shortly before the killing. Collin County Assistant District Attorney Bill Wirskye revealed this additional information during a recent hearing, stating that the prosecution and defense had agreed to exclude such historical details from the trial to focus solely on the events of the day of the stabbing. The decision also avoided introducing Metcalf's past behavior, which included racially charged graffiti, to prevent further racial tensions. Anthony was convicted of murder and received a 35-year sentence, but he has since appealed the verdict. Recently, Judge John Roach was removed from overseeing the appeal, and retired Judge Michael Chitty will now review Anthony's request for a retrial.

Judge Michael Chitty of Collin County, Texas, has denied Karmelo Anthony’s request for a new trial in the 2025 fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet, marking a definitive end to the appeals process for the 19-year-old convicted murderer. The decision, issued on Saturday, upheld Anthony’s murder conviction and 35-year prison sentence. Anthony, who is Black, was found guilty of stabbing Metcalf, a white 17-year-old, in the chest during a confrontation at Memorial High School in Frisco, Texas. The ruling comes after a two-day hearing that examined claims of procedural irregularities and potential violations of Anthony’s constitutional rights. The case, which drew national attention due to its racially charged nature, unfolded in June 2025. Anthony, a student-athlete at Frisco Centennial High School, was accused of refusing to leave a tent belonging to Metcalf’s team during a track meet. Witnesses testified that Anthony escalated the situation, warning Metcalf, “Touch me and see what happens,” before pulling out a knife and stabbing him. Jurors rejected Anthony’s self-defense claims, leading to his conviction. Anthony’s parents and Metcalf’s family attended the trial, with Metcalf’s father delivering a victim impact statement that left many in the courtroom visibly shaken. Following the conviction, Anthony’s legal team filed a motion for a new trial, arguing that the trial was marred by strict courtroom rules imposed by Judge John Roach, who had presided over the original proceedings. Roach, who was removed from the case after a separate judicial review found his conduct compromised his impartiality, had given a televised interview shortly after the trial in which he stated that the jury “got it right” in convicting Anthony. This comment, among other actions, prompted the removal of Roach from the case, and retired Judge Michael Chitty was appointed to oversee the retrial motion. Anthony’s attorneys claimed that the trial was influenced by an informal “gentleman’s agreement” between prosecutors and defense lawyers to exclude potentially incriminating evidence related to both parties’ histories. According to testimony during the new-trial hearing, prosecutors had access to violent text messages sent by Anthony to an ex-girlfriend, including one sent on the morning of the incident that depicted a knife and read, “I’m low key on the verge.” Another message referenced Anthony’s obsession with stabbing victims and licking the blood off the blade. These communications, which were not introduced during the trial, were deemed highly relevant to the prosecution’s case. Similarly, evidence suggesting that Metcalf had a history of using racial slurs and engaging in fights was also excluded from the trial. Prosecutors argued that this information was intended to avoid inflaming racial tensions, which had already become a focal point of the case. However, Anthony’s defense contended that the exclusion of such evidence created an imbalance in the adversarial process, undermining the fairness of the trial. The legal battle over the “gentleman’s agreement” became central to the retrial motion. Former lead defense attorney Mike Howard testified that he understood the agreement to allow Anthony to testify as long as his testimony remained focused on the confrontation at the track meet. However, on the final day of the trial, prosecutors informed the defense that the agreement would not protect Anthony from the introduction of character evidence if he took the stand. This led to a heated disagreement and ultimately contributed to Anthony’s decision not to testify. Other defense attorneys, including Toby Shook, echoed similar concerns, stating that the original legal team had assumed the agreement would cover Anthony’s testimony about the confrontation. Shook noted that the defense had anticipated Anthony would take the stand in support of his self-defense claim, but prosecutors’ sudden change in stance left them unprepared. Despite these claims, prosecutors, represented by Collin County Assistant District Attorney Bill Wirskye, denied acting in bad faith and emphasized that the agreement had never been fully defined in advance. The hearing also revealed that Anthony had a documented history of aggression and interest in violent acts. Texts from his phone indicated a pattern of behavior that suggested a willingness to commit serious harm. Additionally, prosecutors presented evidence that Anthony had expressed a fascination with stabbing and consuming blood, further supporting the claim that he had a premeditated intent to kill. Despite these revelations, Judge Chitty ruled that there was insufficient basis to overturn the conviction. His decision, while not elaborated upon in detail, appears to have been based on the finding that the “gentleman’s agreement” did not constitute a violation of Anthony’s rights and that the evidence excluded from the trial did not significantly alter the outcome of the case. Anthony’s legal team has since indicated that they will proceed with a direct appeal, though the likelihood of success remains slim. Meanwhile, the Metcalf family continues to seek justice, having endured months of public scrutiny and personal trauma. As the case moves forward, it underscores the complexities of navigating legal systems in cases that intersect with broader societal issues.

Go to the primary sources (13)

The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.

8 reports

ABC News (US) logoABC News (US)IndependentProgressiveFactual 88Objective 703 days ago
Judge will consider new trial for Karmelo Anthony in Texas track meet killing

A Texas teenager, Karmelo Anthony, has been granted a new trial after his murder conviction in the stabbing death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet was challenged. The judge overseeing the case, Judge Michael Chitty, was removed from the case due to concerns about judicial impartiality, particularly regarding comments made by the previous judge, John Roach, who had praised the jury's guilty verdict. Anthony, now 19, was initially sentenced to 35 years in prison but is seeking a retrial, arguing that the trial was unfairly influenced by strict courtroom rules and improper jury instructions. Anthony claims he acted in self-defense during a confrontation with Metcalf, which occurred on a rainy spring day at the track meet. The case has drawn national attention due to racial tensions highlighted by social media, though both families' lawyers emphasized that the incident was not racially motivated.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the case through the lens of potential judicial bias and racial tensions, emphasizing the impact of social media and public opinion. While it presents both sides of the argument, the emphasis on the judge's comments and the broader societal implications leans toward highlighting a

Why factuality (88): The article provides accurate information about the judge's removal, the current status of the case, and mentions the racial context as noted in the primary source. It includes relevant details about the trial and the legal arguments presented by Anthony's attorneys.

Why objectivity (70): While the article presents the legal arguments fairly, there is a slight lean towards acknowledging the complexity of the case and the potential for a new trial, though it remains relatively neutral compared to the first article.

The Daily Wire logoThe Daily WireIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 652 days ago
SEE IT: Disturbing Detail Karmelo Anthony Jury Never Saw

Karmelo Anthony, who was convicted of murdering Austin Metcalf, had prior behavior that was not presented to the jury during his trial. This included reports that he was stalking an ex-girlfriend and obsessed with weapons, as well as sending threatening messages shortly before the killing. Collin County Assistant District Attorney Bill Wirskye revealed this additional information during a recent hearing, stating that the prosecution and defense had agreed to exclude such historical details from the trial to focus solely on the events of the day of the stabbing. The decision also avoided introducing Metcalf's past behavior, which included racially charged graffiti, to prevent further racial tensions. Anthony was convicted of murder and received a 35-year sentence, but he has since appealed the verdict. Recently, Judge John Roach was removed from overseeing the appeal, and retired Judge Michael Chitty will now review Anthony's request for a retrial.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual details about a criminal case without overtly favoring either side. It includes statements from both the prosecution and defense strategies, and does not employ biased language or selective sourcing. The content focuses on legal procedures and evidence rather than taking

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the key points from the primary source document, including the ex-girlfriend's report of stalking, the threatening texts, and the 'gentleman's agreement' between prosecution and defense. It references specific quotes from prosecutors and provides context about the tria

Why objectivity (65): The article presents information in a somewhat sensationalized manner, using phrases like 'disturbing detail' and focusing on the more dramatic aspects of the case. While it doesn't overtly take sides, it frames the story in a way that emphasizes the controversial elements, potentially influencing r

Breitbart News logoBreitbart NewsIndependentConservativeFactual 60Objective 453 days ago
REPORT: Texts Revealing Karmelo Anthony's Dark Fantasies Read During Court Hearing

The article discusses new revelations from the murder trial of Karmelo Anthony, who was convicted of killing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in 2025. Previously unreleased details include texts from Anthony’s ex-girlfriend indicating he was emotionally unstable and threatening her. Prosecutors presented evidence that Anthony expressed a fascination with stabbing victims and licking their blood off knives, along with racist content stored on his laptop. Photos of Anthony holding guns were also shown. Despite claims by some activists that the trial was biased against Anthony, the majority of witnesses were minorities who testified against him. Anthony was ultimately sentenced to 35 years in prison and later admitted to committing the crime.

Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the case in a manner that emphasizes the defendant's criminal behavior and potential biases among activists, while highlighting minority witness accounts and the presence of racist material. This framing suggests a conservative perspective that aligns with traditional law-and-秩序 (

Why factuality (60): This article contains several inaccuracies and fabrications compared to the primary source. It mentions 'racist hate' on Anthony's laptop and claims he expressed a fascination with stabbing someone and licking blood, which are not supported by the original document. It also includes fabricated quote

Why objectivity (45): The article is highly biased and uses emotionally charged language to frame the narrative. It implies a racial bias in the justice system while presenting unverified claims. The tone is clearly supportive of Anthony and dismissive of the prosecution's arguments, making it significantly less objectiv

The Daily Wire logoThe Daily WireIndependentConservativeFactual 50Objective 302 days ago
Prosecutors In Karmelo Anthony Case Hid The Most Damning Evidence

The article discusses the trial of Karmelo Anthony, a Black high school student who was convicted of murdering a white teenager, Austin Metcalf, during a track meet. According to the article, prosecutors allegedly withheld critical evidence from the jury, including text messages that could have shown Anthony's premeditation, through a 'gentleman's agreement' with the defense. This evidence, which would have supported the prosecution's case, was not presented during the trial, potentially giving the defense an unfair advantage. Anthony's attorneys are now seeking a new trial based on these newly revealed details. The article criticizes the prosecutorial actions as undermining the principles of the adversarial justice system.

Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the situation as a failure of the justice system, emphasizing the racial dynamics of the case (a Black defendant accused of killing a white victim), and criticizes the prosecutors for withholding evidence that would have strengthened the case against Anthony. The tone implies that

Why factuality (50): The article makes broad claims about evidence being withheld without specific references to the primary source. While it mentions a 'gentleman's agreement', it lacks detailed sourcing or direct quotes from the primary source document. The article does not provide concrete examples of what evidence w

Why objectivity (30): The article has a clear bias favoring Karmelo Anthony, using terms like 'black high school student' and 'white teenager' which could imply racial bias. It frames the prosecution as withholding evidence rather than presenting a balanced view. The tone is highly opinionated and lacks neutrality.

The New York Times (US) logoThe New York Times (US)Independent🔒Centeryesterday
Judge Denies New Trial for Karmelo Anthony in Texas Teen’s Killing

Karmelo Anthony, a 19-year-old defendant, was convicted of murder in the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet last year. His legal team has since filed an appeal seeking a new trial. The case involves a criminal conviction and ongoing legal challenges.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual update on a criminal case without overtly endorsing or opposing any political stance. It reports on the legal proceedings and appeals without taking a clear ideological position, maintaining neutrality.

The Washington Times logoThe Washington TimesParty-alignedCenteryesterday
Texas judge denies Karmelo Anthony bid for new trial after dispute over testimony

A Texas judge has denied a request by Karmelo Anthony, who was convicted of murdering Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet, for a new trial. Retired District Judge Michael Chitty ruled against Anthony's appeal, which argued that procedural violations during his trial violated his constitutional rights. The dispute centered around an informal 'gentleman's agreement' between prosecutors and defense attorneys to exclude character evidence from the trial. Testimony revealed that prosecutors had evidence of Anthony's violent past, while the defense had information about Metcalf's alleged misconduct. The disagreement over how the agreement applied if Anthony testified led to tension during the trial, but neither side claimed bad faith. The ruling maintains Anthony's 35-year prison sentence.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of the legal arguments from both sides, prosecution and defense, and does not take a clear ideological stance. It reports on the judicial process and the legal reasoning behind the denial of the new trial request without overtly favoring either side. While the案件

Fox News (US) logoFox News (US)IndependentCenteryesterday
Judge denies Karmelo Anthony's bid for new trial after ex-lawyers detail dispute that kept him from testifying

A Texas judge has denied Karmelo Anthony's request for a new trial, rejecting claims that procedural issues during his murder trial violated his rights. Retired District Judge Michael Chitty reviewed the motion and related documents but did not provide detailed reasoning for his decision. Anthony, convicted of murdering Austin Metcalf in 2022, faces a 35-year prison sentence, and his challenge will proceed through direct appeal. Prosecutors expressed confidence in the outcome, while defense attorneys highlighted disputes over an unwritten agreement between legal teams that affected Anthony's willingness to testify. The case involves allegations that Anthony stalked his ex-girlfriend and had an obsession with knives.

Bias read (Center): While the article covers a high-profile criminal case, it does not overtly frame the issue along ideological lines. The focus is on legal procedures and judicial rulings rather than partisan perspectives. The reporting presents both sides of the argument, prosecution's confidence in the case and the辩

The Daily Wire logoThe Daily WireIndependentCenteryesterday
Karmelo Anthony Denied New Murder Trial

A Texas judge denied a request by convicted murderer Karmelo Anthony for a new murder trial, rejecting his motion following a two-day hearing. Anthony, 19, was convicted of fatally stabbing Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in April 2025 and received a 35-year prison sentence. His legal team argued that the trial was flawed due to alleged prosecutorial misconduct and the removal of the presiding judge, John Roach, who had imposed strict courtroom rules and made public comments shortly after the trial. The case gained national attention due to the Anthony family's narrative and criticism of limited media coverage of white-on-black incidents. During the trial, Anthony failed to make eye contact with Metcalf's family during victim impact statements, and his emotional reaction to the verdict highlighted the severity of the crime.

Bias read (Center): While the article discusses a criminal case involving race and media coverage, it presents information from both sides, detailing Anthony's arguments for a retrial and the DA's assertion of ethical conduct. The framing remains balanced, avoiding overtly ideological language or emphasis on specific政治派

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories