Karmelo Anthony trial: Claims of stalking ‘girlfriend’ surface as text messages reveal stabbing fantasies
Karmelo Anthony’s new trial hearing began after Judge John Roach’s recusal, with reports of disturbing texts and alleged stalking claims emerging.
The 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 Thursday.

As the hearing started, a series of new revelations about Karmelo Anthony, convicted of 35 years in jail for the murder of Austin Metcalf, emerged. The Daily Mail reported that Karmelo Anthony sent text messages fantasizing about "stabbing someone" and "licking the blood off the blade." Simultaneously, claims 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 reported that 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. The information was revealed in court by Collin County prosecutor Bill Wirskye.
Alleged Stabbing Fantasies Revealed In Text Messages
Collin County prosecutor Bill Wirskye revealed that Karmelo Anthony allegedly fantasized about "stabbing someone" in text messages sent by him. In one of the text messages on the morning of the killing, he allegedly said that he was "lowkey on the verge of" killing someone.
"There is a text message where he fantasizes about stabbing someone and licking the blood off the blade," Wirkskye said at the court, the Daily Mail reported.
Wirkskye explained that Karmelo Anthony was allegedly "obsessed with starting fights." Anthony even took a special program at LSU for kids who can't keep their hands to themselves when the family was living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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Judge Removed From Retrial Plea, New Judge Takes Charge
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.
“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,” Anthony’s lawyers said.
Karmelo Anthony is housed at the at the Wallace Pack Unit, a Texas prison.
ABOUT THE AUTHORShamik BanerjeeShamik is a journalist covering the United States for Hindustan Times. He has more than four years of experience reporting on US politics, sports, and major breaking stories across fast-moving cycles. He previously worked at Times Now and Sportskeeda, building strong newsroom instincts and digital storytelling skills. At HT.com, he focuses on day-to-day coverage of US political developments while also handling high-impact stories that demand speed, accuracy, clarity, and context under pressure. Shamik has extensive experience covering NFL game days over the past two years, coordinating live updates, analysis, and explainers. He is particularly drawn to large news moments such as US elections and the Super Bowl, where he thrives at the news desk working alongside the team. He holds degrees in Media Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia and English Literature from Jadavpur University. Before entering journalism, he briefly worked in digital marketing and political consultancy roles. Currently a Senior Content Producer at HT Digital, he is driven by curiosity, discipline, and a constant desire to explore new and obscure topics. Outside work, he enjoys reading, films, sports, and learning continuously.Read More

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