Defense attorneys for Karmelo Anthony successfully removed the trial judge from all appeal efforts going forward on Wednesday as they seek a retrial for their client.

In June, the 19-year-old black man was convicted of murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf, a 17-year-old white athlete, at a Texas high school track meet in April 2025. The case caught national attention last year due to the races of the suspect and victim.