Karmelo Anthony's bid for a new trial gets big boost as Texas judge who presided over trial removed

A Texas judge on Wednesday granted Karmelo Anthony's request to remove the judge who presided over his murder trial from the post-trial proceedings. 

Judge Sid Harle found that a reasonable outside observer could question whether Judge John Roach, who was judge in Anthony's trial in June, appeared impartial. 

Harle said he did not find that Roach violated judicial conduct rules and believed he could be fair, but Harle said that wasn't the question being considered in determining whether to remove him. He said a third party looking at Roach's public comments could question his impartiality, and Harle granted the motion to recuse, Fox News reported. 

The defense argues that Roach couldn't fairly rule on the post-trial motions because of remarks he made to reporters after the verdict, in which Roach said the verdict "got it right" and defended several trial rulings, including his handling of courtroom access and the dismissal of three Black potential jurors.

Anthony was convicted in June of murdering 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, who prosecutors allege Anthony fatally stabbed during a spat at a Frisco, Texas, track meet. The jury sentenced Anthony to 35 years in prison. 

Anthony's legal team filed two motions on July 17. Once sought to recuse Roach, and the other is seeking a new trial. The hearing for the new-trial motion is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Thursday.