Judge imposes strict rules for Karmelo Anthony trial in student's death

Courtroom security, media access, and recording banned in high-profile case

Apr. 18, 2026 at 9:51pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a single piece of crime scene evidence, such as a knife or bloodstained fabric, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the heightened security measures imposed for the trial.The judge's order aims to protect the integrity of the high-profile trial while still allowing for appropriate media access and coverage.Frisco Today

A Collin County judge has issued an order imposing strict rules on media access, security, and courtroom conduct for the upcoming trial of Karmelo Anthony, the 17-year-old accused of fatally stabbing fellow student Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in 2025. The order cites intense public interest and the need to protect jurors, witnesses, and the defendant's right to a fair proceeding.

Why it matters

The case has drawn widespread public attention and generated intense community reaction, extensive online discussion, and sustained media coverage - factors that led the court to issue a gag order last year. The judge's new order aims to balance the public's interest in the case with the need to ensure a fair trial.

The details

According to the order, the Collin County Sheriff's Office will enforce heightened security measures, including staggered entry times for media and a ban on recording devices in the courtroom. The judge cited the landmark Sheppard v. Maxwell Supreme Court case in finding that these restrictions are necessary to protect the defendant's right to a fair trial, juror privacy, and overall courtroom security.

  • The trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 1, 2026.
  • The judge signed the order on Friday, April 18, 2026.

The players

Karmelo Anthony

The 17-year-old defendant accused of fatally stabbing fellow student Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in 2025.

Austin Metcalf

The 17-year-old student who was fatally stabbed by Karmelo Anthony during a high school track meet in 2025.

Judge John Roach Jr.

The 296th District Court judge who issued the order imposing strict rules on media access, security, and courtroom conduct for the Karmelo Anthony trial.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The case has drawn widespread public attention, generating intense community reaction, extensive online discussion, and sustained media coverage – factors that led the court to issue a gag order last year.”

— Judge John Roach Jr., 296th District Court Judge

What’s next

If convicted, Karmelo Anthony could face a possible sentence of 5-99 years or life in prison. In the Texas criminal justice system, 17-year-olds are considered adults.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges courts face in balancing the public's interest in high-profile trials with the need to ensure a fair proceeding. The judge's order aims to protect the integrity of the trial while still allowing for appropriate media access and coverage.