The Texas judge who oversaw Karmelo Anthony’s murder trial is now speaking out after the 19-year-old was convicted and sentenced to 35 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf. His comments have added another layer of debate to a case that has already drawn national attention over self-defense, race, jury selection, and courtroom fairness.
Judge John Roach Jr. described Anthony as a “nice young man,” but made clear that he still supported the jury’s decision. The remark caught attention because it acknowledged Anthony’s personal side while also standing behind the serious sentence handed down in court.
The case began with the death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a track and field meet in Frisco, Texas, on April 2, 2025. Prosecutors said the confrontation started over a dispute near a team seating area before it escalated into a stabbing that ended Austin’s life.
Anthony’s defense argued throughout the trial that he acted in self-defense. His attorneys claimed he feared for his safety during the confrontation, but Anthony himself did not testify before the jury. In the end, jurors rejected the self-defense argument and found him guilty of first-degree murder.
The jury also rejected a “sudden passion” argument during sentencing. If accepted, that argument could have reduced the punishment range, but jurors instead decided on a 35-year prison sentence, leaving Anthony and his family facing decades of separation.
Judge Roach said he believed the jury reached the right conclusion based on the evidence presented inside the courtroom. He defended the jurors, saying they were chosen according to the law, listened to the facts, and returned a verdict through the legal process.
The trial was surrounded by criticism and public pressure from the beginning. Some people questioned the racial makeup of the jury, which did not include any Black jurors, while others criticized Roach for banning cameras from the courtroom during such a high-profile case.
Roach defended that decision as well, saying his main responsibility was to protect the fairness of the trial for both the defendant and the prosecution. He said he knew the decision made people angry, but added that his job was not to make the public happy.
The emotional weight of the verdict was clear in court. Anthony reportedly broke down when the guilty decision was read and later kept his head lowered as Austin Metcalf’s family gave victim impact statements during sentencing. He briefly looked up only after being directly addressed by Austin’s twin brother, Hunter.
Now, Anthony has filed a notice of appeal, meaning the legal fight is not fully over. But for Judge Roach, who is nearing the end of his current term, the case may stand as one of the final major trials of his career — and his message was clear: outside opinions may continue, but he believes the jury followed the law.
