Judge hears Karmelo Anthony retrial bid after Texas recusal order
What's new: prosecutors acknowledged an off-record deal to withhold inflammatory character evidence from Anthony and Austin Metcalf.
A Texas judge is weighing Karmelo Anthony's request for a new murder trial after the original trial judge was removed from further proceedings in the case. Anthony, 19, was convicted in June and sentenced to 35 years in prison for fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a confrontation at a high school track meet near Dallas last year. At this week's hearing in Collin County, Anthony's lawyers argued that off-record agreements, jury instructions and courtroom access limits undermined a fair trial. Prosecutor Bill Wirskye said both sides agreed to keep out character evidence about Anthony and Metcalf to avoid worsening threats and racial tensions surrounding the case. The hearing is set to continue Friday, with no immediate ruling expected.