A visiting judge removed trial Judge John Roach Jr. from further proceedings in Karmelo Anthony’s murder case on August 19, 2026. Anthony had been convicted of killing Austin Metcalf and sentenced to 35 years. The defense sought the change before a separate hearing on a motion for a new trial.

Why It Matters

Removing a judge from later proceedings is not the same as overturning a jury’s verdict. The recusal addressed the appearance of impartiality when post-trial challenges would be heard. The murder conviction and sentence remained in effect.

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Judge Roach had presided over the June trial in Collin County. After jurors convicted Anthony, the judge appeared in a televised interview and said he believed the jury had reached the right result. The defense argued that those comments, along with restrictions on the courtroom, made him unsuitable to hear a motion challenging trial procedures.

Visiting Judge Sid Harle reviewed the defense request. He said he believed Roach could have been fair, but ruled that public comments could create a reasonable question about impartiality. He granted the recusal.

The change applied to later proceedings. It did not erase the 35-year sentence or provide a new murder trial. Retired Judge Michael Chitty was assigned to hear the request for a new trial.

Prosecutors opposed the recusal and argued that the original courtroom rules served security and order. The defense disagreed. These were opposing legal positions; the recusal decision resolved who would hear the next motion, not whether the defendant deserved another trial.

Collin County’s official public-information page includes the signed recusal order and related public-access and courtroom-procedure orders. Those are the preferred records for this procedural event.

What Happens Next

The new-trial arguments proceeded before Judge Chitty. On August 22, he denied the request. Anthony’s direct appellate case remained separate.

Record integrity: Witness testimony, defense positions, court orders and verdicts are different kinds of evidence. This report does not treat a pending motion as an issued decision.