Karmelo Anthony Retrial Plea: New Revelations Emerge of Stabbing Fantasy Texts and Girlfriend Stalking Claims
A day after the recusal of Judge John Roach from the Karmelo Anthony case, the plea for a new trial kicked off at the Collin County courthouse in Texas on Thursday. As the hearing started, a series of new revelations about Karmelo Anthony, who was convicted and sentenced to 35 years in jail for the murder of Austin Metcalf, emerged in court.
A day after the recusal of Judge John Roach from the Karmelo Anthony case, the plea for a new trial kicked off at the Collin County courthouse in Texas on Thursday. As the hearing started, a series of new revelations about Karmelo Anthony, who was convicted and sentenced to 35 years in jail for the murder of Austin Metcalf, emerged in court.
Text Messages Reveal Alleged Stabbing Fantasies
The Daily Mail reported that Karmelo Anthony sent text messages fantasizing about "stabbing someone" and "licking the blood off the blade." Collin County prosecutor Bill Wirskye revealed the details in court, stating, "There is a text message where he fantasizes about stabbing someone and licking the blood off the blade." Who Is Meliza Campos-Sanchez? Florida Mother Arrested After Setting Kitchen Fire, Pouring Hot Wax on Daughters (Video).
Wirskye also said that on the morning of the killing, Anthony allegedly texted that he was "lowkey on the verge of" killing someone. The prosecutor explained that Anthony was allegedly "obsessed with starting fights," adding that he had even taken a special program at LSU for kids who can't keep their hands to themselves when the family was living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Karmelo Anthony's Girlfriend Allegedly Reported Stalking Hours Before Austin Metcalf Stabbing
Karmelo Anthony reportedly texted his girlfriend that he wanted to stab someone and lick the blood off the blade just hours before he killed Austin Metcalf.
"I'm lowkey on the verge," he reportedly said in a text to his girlfriend with a photo of a knife.
"There is a text… pic.twitter.com/afr1WZs0Vm
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 20, 2026
Girlfriend Allegedly Reported Stalking Hours Before Stabbing
Claims also emerged from journalists inside the courthouse that Anthony was allegedly stalking his girlfriend on the day before the stabbing in April 2025. According to MaryAnn Martinez, the Texas bureau chief of the Daily Mail, Karmelo Anthony's girlfriend, Valeria, went to the school on the morning of April 2, 2025. She reportedly told school officials that she had broken up with Karmelo Anthony and that he was stalking her. The stabbing at the track meet happened just a couple of hours later, according to information revealed in court by prosecutor Bill Wirskye. Florida Shocker: Crocodile Attacks and Kills Golden Retriever in Satellite Beach As Residents Watch in Horror, Video Goes Viral.
Judge Roach Removed, Retired Judge Chitty Takes Over
Judge John Roach's removal from the hearing on Karmelo Anthony's retrial plea came after Roach gave an interview to a local broadcaster, claiming that the jury in the trial "got it right." Retired District Judge Michael Chitty has taken over as the new judge for Anthony's retrial plea.
Anthony's lawyers said, "Today's ruling answers a fundamental question: whether a reasonable fully informed observer would see Judge Roach's conduct and believe that he could fairly and impartially consider a motion for new trial."
Karmelo Anthony is currently housed at the Wallace Pack Unit, a Texas prison.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 21, 2026 07:24 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
