Judge defends barring cameras from Karmelo Anthony murder trial, says it was 'an easy decision'

The justice who presided implicit the high-profile execution proceedings of Karmelo Anthony is lasting by 1 of the case's astir arguable decisions, saying keeping cameras retired of the courtroom was indispensable to guarantee a just trial.

Judge John Roach of the 296th District Court said this week that it was the close determination to barroom cameras and livestreaming during Anthony's execution trial.

A Collin County assemblage connected Tuesday sentenced Anthony to 35 years successful situation aft uncovering him blameworthy of execution successful the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Memorial High School pupil Austin Metcalf during a precocious schoolhouse way conscionable successful Frisco, Texas.

In an interrogation with WFAA pursuing the verdict, Roach defended his determination to barroom cameras and livestreaming from the courtroom.

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Karmelo Anthony (left) was convicted of sidesplitting Austin Metcalf (right). (Texas Department of Criminal Justice; Jeff Metcalf)

"Yes, it was an casual decision," Roach told the station. "I'll archer you why. My superior extremity successful each lawsuit is to marque definite the suspect and the prosecution get a just trial. Period."

"I cognize I made radical huffy but I'm not present to marque them blessed either," helium added.

The determination to barroom cameras and livestreaming drew disapproval from reporters and members of the nationalist who wanted greater entree to the proceedings.

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A tribunal sketch shows Karmelo Anthony during his proceedings successful Collin County, Texas, wherever helium was convicted of execution successful the 2025 stabbing decease of Austin Metcalf connected June 9, 2026. (Pat Lopez)

"I had to equilibrium betwixt the media's close to cognize and beryllium capable to cognize what's going on, which I deliberation is extraordinarily important. I deliberation the nationalist had entree to the courtroom and spot what is going on," Roach said.

The Texas justice said his extremity was to forestall extracurricular commentary and nationalist unit from influencing the proceedings oregon the jury.

"As agelong arsenic I travel the law, I slumber good astatine night," Roach said.

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Defense lawyer Mike Howard delivers opening statements during Karmelo Anthony's execution proceedings successful a courtroom sketch from the Collin County courthouse. (Pat Lopez)

Roach besides pushed backmost connected claims that helium had a idiosyncratic narration with the Metcalf family.

"I wouldn't cognize Mr. Metcalf anterior to this proceedings if helium walked up to maine and said 'hello,'" helium said.

When asked whether the assemblage reached the close verdict, Roach said helium believed they did.

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Karmelo Anthony's grandmother, Toni Hayes, leaves tribunal successful McKinney, Texas, connected June 9, 2026. Anthony was sentenced to 35 years for the execution of Austin Metcalf astatine a way conscionable successful Frisco past year. (AJ Skuy for Fox News Digital)

"Yes they did due to the fact that they were picked based upon the law, they listened to the facts, it happened successful this courtroom, and they got a verdict," helium said.

Roach besides shared his impressions of Anthony pursuing the trial.

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"He seems similar a bully young antheral who committed a transgression and helium understands contiguous much than immoderate time earlier the consequences of committing a transgression similar helium did," helium said.

Fox News Digital's Stepheny Price and Julia Bonavita contributed to this report.