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Judge John Roach has officially been removed from any and all future proceedings in the Karmelo Anthony m*rder Case.
The hearing wrapping up just a couple of hours after it started.
The State did not present any arguments in defense of Judge Roach, with the defense presenting an interview of Judge Roach after Anthony’s conviction.
Judge Sid Harle, a senior judge from the San Antonio area made the ruling, granting the defense’s recusal, after the defense argued that the interview showed Roach had already made up his mind, saying that the jury “got it right” and that Anthony received a fair trial.
They argued it would be reasonable for someone to doubt whether Roach would be fair in deciding whether to grant a new trial – since he already agreed with the conviction.
This means Judge John Roach Jr. will be removed from all future matters including the motion for a new trial, which is being filed by Anthony’s new attorneys.
Anthony came into the Collin County Courthouse in McKinney, Texas, dressed in a dark green jail jumpsuit and shackles – this was the first time he’s been seen since he was convicted of first degree m*rder and sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Right off the top the Defense asked that Anthony’s shackles be removed then played an 18 minute audio interview of Judge Roach.
In the video Roach said he had a sense of duty to take the case, most likely from his time in the Marines. He defended his decisions to keep cameras out of the court room, because he thought outside influences would have a negative impact on the witnesses.
He talked about social media and misinformation, and the doxxing and swatting of people involved in the case.
He said he prepared for the trial for 8 months, in part because he wanted to protect the minors that were going to testify – and didn’t have any regrets about taking the case.
Roach said he has a reputation of being no-nonsense, and strict.
He said he did not know know the Metcalfs and when he talked to Anthony, he seemed like a “nice young man who committed a crime”
He said the jury got it right “because they were picked based upon the law”
“Whatever they say they get it right”
He also said that he was proud of following the law to a T –
“As long as i follow the law, I sleep well at night and I slept well in that case”
The audio ended with Judge Roach saying he hopes the Anthony family thinks they got a fair trial adding
“What we did here was a well oiled machine”
“Collin County should he the model for high profile cases from here on out”After playing the audio, the defense rested. Nothing from the state.
During closing arguments Prosecuting Attorney Bill Wirskye told visiting Judge Sid Harle that he’s not sure it’s the state’s job to defend the judge or not.
He added that Judge Roach didn’t do anything wrong, the jury was picked according to the law, they heard the arguments and reached a unanimous verdict.
But no arguments from the state, essentially allowing the recusal request to be granted with out opposition.
The state’s position is that the law was followed, and will continue to be followed with any future proceedings no matter if Judge Roach, or a different Judge oversee’s the case.
Wirskye did say he thinks it important to know that there was a concerted effort by outside influencers to come in and disrupt this trial, “some of them are here today”
Adding that the’ve never seen anything like they saw in this case and“We were all getting death threat’s”
This does not mean the motion for a new trial was granted.
Anthony’s new appellate team, led by Russell Wilson, filed motions last month asking for Roach’s recusal and a new trial – and will present their case for a new trial tomorrow
There was tight security in and around the courthouse as both the Anthony and Metcalf families arrived, along with dozens of others trying to get into the courtroom, however, there were very few seats for the public including in the overflow room with the video feed.
Anthony, now 19, was convicted back in June of first degree m*rder for the April 2025, stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet.
During the first trial it was established through video evidence and eye witness testimony that Anthony was the only member of his track team to go sit underneath another team’s tent – which is not accepted at the meets.
Metcalf – who was put in a leadership role that day by Rob Starr, the Memorial High School head track coach – asked Anthony to leave. Anthony refused after being asked at least 15 times.
Instead, Anthony called Metcalf a b*tch, said F you all and called the memorial athletes in the tent a bunch of p*ssies.
Anthony’s own teammates along with Metcalf’s teammates testified that he shouldn’t have been in the tent, should have left when he was asked and consider what he did to be m*rder
One of the witnesses testified that Anthony had in his mind what he was going to do that day, and he did it.
When Metcalf pushed him to try and get him to leave, Anthony pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the heart – the then tried to run out of the stadium.
If a new trial is granted, the state can immediately appeal, if a new trial is denied the defense can challenge it as part of their appeal of the m*rder conviction.
A different judge will hear arguments tomorrow on the motion for a new trial
