Texas Judge Issues Gag Order in Karmelo Anthony Murder Case

A Texas judge has issued a gag order in the Karmelo Anthony track meet murder case before the trial begins next June, local outlet KERA News reported Wednesday.

Collin County judge John Roach Jr. issued the order to prevent any individuals involved in the trial from talking to the media or other parties regarding the case, according to KERA News. Anthony was indicted by a grand jury for first degree murder in June and stands charged with killing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas.

Witnesses told law enforcement that Anthony was sitting beneath the tent used by his team at Memorial High School, and was told he should not be there, according to Fox 4 News. Anthony allegedly said “touch me and see what happens” to Metcalf. The victim then allegedly pushed Anthony, allegedly prompting him to stab Metcalf.

The incident gained national media attention over race issues, as Metcalf was white and Anthony was black. The judge also issued a protection order, but it is not clear which party the order targets.

Anthony, despite the charges against him, was granted bail and allowed to graduate high school while on house arrest. The teen claimed the stabbing was in self-defense, but confessed that he “did it” at the scene,