Karmelo Anthony’s family and lawyers spoke publicly on September 2, 2026, after a judge refused to grant him a new trial. His murder conviction for killing Austin Metcalf and the 35-year prison sentence remained in place. The attorneys said the direct appeal would continue.

Why It Matters

An attorney’s plan for an appeal tells us what legal questions might come next. It is not a higher court’s decision. Families on both sides may have strong feelings, but a public statement cannot overturn a verdict.

Go Deeper | What the Record Shows

Austin was killed at a Frisco track meet in April 2025. The June 2026 trial resulted in a murder conviction after jurors rejected Anthony’s self-defense claim. His team filed a notice of appeal the next day.

In August, a different judge was assigned to the post-trial hearing after Judge Roach’s recusal. The new judge, Michael Chitty, then denied a request for a new trial. That did not terminate the separately filed appeal.

At the September 2 public appearance, defense attorney Russell Wilson said the appellate case was pending in Dallas. He anticipated that the trial record might be filed around October 7 and that later arguments would focus on procedural fairness and courtroom access.

Those were a lawyer’s predictions about the schedule and issues, not an authenticated filing receipt or a ruling on their merits. Austin’s family still had the June judgment in its favor, and Anthony remained imprisoned under the sentence.

What Happens Next

Check the appellate case 05-26-00840-CR for actual filed records, motions, orders, briefs and any eventual opinion. The reported October 7 due date is not itself proof that the full record was filed.

Legal status: The June 9 murder conviction and sentence have not been overturned by the procedural rulings described here. Legal arguments are not findings.