Photos: YouTube Screenshots
Collin County, TX– On behalf of our client, Karmelo Anthony, we are pleased that Judge Sid Harle granted his motion to recuse Judge John Roach from further proceedings in this case. We appreciate the judge for traveling from San Antonio to hear this matter objectively. Today’s ruling answers a fundamental question: whether a reasonable fully informed observer would see Judge Roach’s conduct and believe that he could fairly and impartially consider a motion for new trial. We believe for the facts and reasons addressed in the motion and applicable law that the judge was correct in granting the motion to recuse.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS RESULTING IN RECUSAL OF JUDGE ROACH
Karmelo was sentenced on June 9, 2026. Judge Roach sat for an on camera interview with WFAA just two days later on June 11, 2026 where he expressed his personal opinions about the correctness of the jury’s verdict, the fairness of the trial, and the correctness of his own rulings despite expressing some regret of not even having audio of the trial accessible to the general public. LINK
On June 17, 2026, Judge Roach issued a public letter to “members of the Collin County Family” on the Collin County Court website where he stated, “each of you contributed to ensuring the process was conducted fairly, safely, and with the dignity our citizens deserve.” And two days later, on June 19, 2026, he issued a statement to Fox News about the importance of transparency despite restricting the media’s access to the trial. LINK
These are just three examples of extrajudicial public commentary after ensuring a gag order was in place for all other parties involved since July 28, 2025.
Judge Roach had an obligation to engage in conduct that protects the integrity of the judicial process and the justice system. Today, Judge Harle ruled that the fundamental test to consider is whether a third party looking in would perceive Judge Roach’s conduct as impartial. He did not. Therefore, he ruled in Karmelo’s favor by recusing Judge Roach. We respect the Court’s ruling on the facts and look forward to presenting the merits of Karmelo’s motion for a new trial to a fair and independent judge.
We are grateful for everyone who was there in support of righting this injustice. We look forward to Karmelo’s opportunity to present on the motion for new trial tomorrow before what we believe will be a neutral and impartial judge. We will work to ensure Karmelo receives every protection and every measure of due process guaranteed to him under the Constitution of the United States and the laws of the State of Texas.
