Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis has responded to allegations made by Mike Howard, the lead defense attorney for Karmelo Anthony, who was convicted of murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison. Howard's affidavit, submitted for Anthony's appeal, claims that prosecutors violated a "gentlemen's agreement" regarding character evidence and that a crucial hearing was rushed, impacting the defense's ability to prepare.
Willis countered these claims, stating that court transcripts contradict Howard's assertions. He noted that during a private meeting about Anthony's potential testimony, Howard recognized that the agreement was honored. Judge John Roach Jr. also indicated he would not enforce informal agreements in criminal cases.
Howard's affidavit suggests he believed Anthony would testify but claims limited preparation time was imposed by the judge. However, transcripts reveal that Anthony was given a thorough explanation of his rights and over 30 minutes to deliberate, during which he consulted with his parents before opting not to testify.
Expressing surprise at Howard's claims, Willis stated, "I was surprised, disappointed, and frankly a little confused," defending the prosecution's actions as fair and professional. Howard has not commented on the matter and will not participate in the appeal process.
Willis believes the appeal is unlikely to succeed, saying, "I feel good… I know what happened, and I know that our lawyers conducted themselves in good faith." The first hearing related to the appeal could take place as soon as next month.
