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Judge Sid Harle recuses Judge John Roach from the murder trial of Karmelo Anthony.

Judge Sid Harle granted a motion to remove Judge John Roach from the murder trial of Karmelo Anthony. The 19-year-old was convicted in June for fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in April 2025. Defense attorneys argued that Judge John Roach should be removed because of his public comments and courtroom restrictions. They claimed his statements after the verdict appeared to commit him to the guilty verdict before the new trial motion was decided. Prosecutor Bill Wirskye defended the judge's actions, noting that social media influencers often disrupted the high-profile case. Karmelo Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the murder. The defense alleges that the original trial was unfair due to the judge's restrictions and improper jury instructions. A new judge will be appointed to oversee the hearing for a new trial scheduled for Thursday.

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