The Texas judge who presided over Karmelo Anthony's murder trial has revealed why he banned cameras inside the courtroom. Judge John Roach of the 296th District Court in Collin County told WFAA-TV that it was an 'easy decision' to keep cameras out of the courtroom.
'I'll tell you why, my primary goal in every case is to make sure the defendant and the prosecution get a fair trial. Period ... I know I made people mad, but I'm not here to make them happy, either,' he said.
Roach further said that he attempted to balance the 'extraordinarily important' right to know with limiting the amount of influence over the proceedings and the jury, and that he 'sleeps well at night' in knowing he follows the law.
Judge John Roach's comment about Karmelo Anthony was also surprising. Roach described Anthony as 'a nice young man' during an interview with WFAA-TV. He said that Anthony seemed 'like a nice young man' who now has a better grasp of 'the consequences of committing a crime like he did.'
Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the 2025 murder of Austin Metcalf. He has now been transferred to a Texas prison to begin his sentence.
