A 𝓈𝒽𝓸𝒸𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 new detail has emerged from the sidelines of a Texas murder trial, revealing that convicted teen Karmelo Anthony allegedly texted a threat to “shoot the school up” just months before the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf.
That disturbing message never reached the jury during Anthony’s June trial, according to prosecutors. They revealed the text during a recent hearing over whether the 17-year-old deserves a new trial, local outlet WFAA reported.
The threat was part of a trove of evidence that stayed hidden under what prosecutors described as a “gentleman’s agreement” between both sides. The deal was meant to “keep things clean,” prosecutor Bill Wirskye said from the stand.
But that agreement also kept the lid on victim Austin Metcalf’s juvenile record, which reportedly included racist graffiti like the N-word, “KKK,” and “𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 all Black people,” according to Houston Public Media. Metcalf and his twin got 12 months probation for that incident.
Prosecutors claimed the backroom deal also buried texts showing Anthony’s violent tendencies, including a photo of a knife sent to an ex-girlfriend who reportedly told a vice principal he was stalking her hours before the stabbing.
None of that was shown to the jury that found Anthony guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced him to 35 years in prison.
Now, Anthony’s new attorney, Russell Wilson, is arguing the deal corrupted the June proceedings. He’s also scored a legal win: the original judge was removed from the appeal after a TV interview where he said jurors “got it right.”
The trial stemmed from a confrontation at a track event in Frisco, where witnesses said Metcalf and others repeatedly told Anthony to leave a tent before the fight turned deadly.
With so much hidden from the courtroom, what else might still be kept out of the light?
