Karmelo Anthony dropped plans to testify over track stabbing, lawyer says as teen seeks retrial
Summary
Karmelo Anthony, a 19-year-old in Texas, chose not to testify in his murder trial related to a stabbing at a track meet. He is now seeking a new trial, with his lawyers saying concerns about prosecutors using damaging evidence about his past influenced his decision not to speak in court.Key Facts
- Karmelo Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison for killing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a track meet.
- Anthony planned to testify but withdrew due to fears prosecutors would present harmful evidence about his past.
- The case has caused racial tensions; Anthony is Black, and Metcalf was white.
- Evidence not shown to the jury included Anthony’s past text about stabbing someone and Metcalf’s history of fighting and racist language.
- Prosecutors argue the trial was fair and deny any agreement to limit evidence about Anthony’s testimony.
- Both families have faced harassment related to the case.
- Anthony’s lawyers say a new trial is needed because of court errors limiting information access and use of a “shadow docket” to hide character evidence.
- The trial had increased court security because of threats and online misinformation.
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