Judge Removed from Karmelo Anthony Murder Case Amid Retrial Claims
Defence cites judicial misconduct and incomplete jury instructions in challenge to 35-year sentence.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Callum Smith
District Judge John Roach has been removed from Karmelo Anthony's murder case.
Anthony's legal team asserts a retrial is warranted, citing Judge Roach's enforcement of overly strict courtroom rules and incomplete instructions given to the jury.
Defence attorneys also argued for a retrial, pointing to a post-trial interview given by Judge Roach.
Judge Roach reportedly agreed the jury 'got it right' and characterized Anthony as a nice young man who committed a crime, further stating his belief the trial was fair despite the absence of Black jurors.
Witnesses testified the altercation began when Anthony refused to vacate a tent belonging to Metcalf's team.
Prosecutors maintained Anthony provoked Metcalf, with witnesses confirming Anthony acted as the aggressor.
Touch me and see what happens.
During the confrontation, Anthony reportedly declared, "Touch me and see what happens."
Anthony is Black; Metcalf was white, a detail noted throughout the proceedings.
The legal team for Karmelo Anthony maintains the judge's actions, including strict courtroom rules and the post-trial interview, justify a new trial.