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A coalition of prominent appellate, civil rights and criminal defense attorneys announced Monday that it has taken over the appeal of Karmelo Anthony, who was recently sentenced to 35 years in prison following his conviction in the killing of Austin Metcalf.
The legal team said it will serve on a pro bono basis and conduct what it described as a fresh, independent review of the trial proceedings to determine whether legal errors occurred that could form the basis of an appeal.
Leading the appellate effort are attorney Russell Wilson of The Law Office of Russell Wilson II; attorney Gary Bledsoe of The Bledsoe Law Firm and president of the Texas NAACP; attorney Michael L. Ware; attorney Brooke Cluse of Ben Crump Law; attorney Sean Daredia of Daredia Law Firm; and attorney Justin A. Moore of Stafford Moore, PLLC.
In a statement announcing their involvement, the attorneys emphasized that their role is not to relitigate the facts of the case but to ensure the conviction receives a thorough appellate review.
“Our appellate team has been retained following the conviction to conduct a fresh, independent review of the trial record,” the statement said.
The attorneys also acknowledged the lasting impact of the case on both families.
“We recognize the profound loss suffered by one young man’s family and the uncertainty facing another, and we extend our respect to everyone whose lives have been forever changed by these events,” the statement continued.
Anthony was convicted of murder in the death of Austin Metcalf and later sentenced to 35 years in prison. The case drew widespread attention and generated significant public debate throughout the investigation and trial.
The newly assembled legal team said its responsibility is to determine whether any legal errors occurred during the proceedings and to present any issues supported by the record before an appellate court.
“Our responsibility is to determine whether a legal error occurred and to ensure that every issue supported by the record is fully and vigorously presented on appeal,” the attorneys said.
Under Texas law, appellate courts do not retry criminal cases or hear new evidence. Instead, they review the trial record to determine whether procedural, constitutional or legal errors may have affected the outcome of the case.
The attorneys stressed that the appellate process serves as a critical safeguard within the justice system.
“The appellate process exists for precisely this purpose,” the statement concluded.
No specific grounds for appeal have yet been identified publicly, and the attorneys indicated their review of the trial record is still in its early stages.
