local
Civil rights, criminal defense attorneys join Karmelo Anthony's appeal pro bono after murder conviction in Austin Metcalf's death
By S.E. Jenkins at CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW
· June 23, 2026
· 2 min read
A group of well-known civil rights and criminal defense attorneys announced Monday that they are representing Karmelo Anthony pro bono in the appeal of his murder conviction and 35-year sentence in the death of Austin Metcalf.Almost two weeks ago, Anthony filed a notice of appeal less than 24 hou...
Key takeaway Following the 35-year prison sentence, Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said "justice was served" and praised jurors, prosecutors, witnesses and the family of Austin Metcalf.
Why this matters in Southlake News
The involvement of prominent civil rights and criminal defense attorneys in Karmelo Anthony's appeal brings a new level of scrutiny to the case, which has already drawn significant attention in the North Texas community. As the appeal process unfolds, residents of neighboring cities like Southlake will be watching to see how the legal team navigates the complexities of the trial record. The fact that Anthony's appeal team includes attorneys with experience in high-profile cases and a background in civil rights, such as Gary Bledsoe, President of the Texas NAACP, suggests that they will be examining the trial for any potential errors or biases. The release of evidence from the murder trial to the public has also sparked interest in the community, and many will be awaiting the outcome of the appeal to see if the conviction is upheld or if a new trial is granted.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW . Southlake News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A group of well-known civil rights and criminal defense attorneys announced Monday that they are representing Karmelo Anthony pro bono in the appeal of his murder conviction and 35-year sentence in the death of Austin Metcalf.Almost two weeks ago, Anthony filed a notice of appeal less than 24 hou...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW and curated for Southlake News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by S.E. Jenkins at CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW. To learn more about how Southlake News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Southlake News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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