Karmelo Anthony asks donors to fork over more for defense after killer’s family spent 500k on new home
The family of convicted killer Karmelo Anthony has launched a new fundraising drive seeking a further $250,000 to fund his appeal, on top of roughly $634,000 already raised, despite unanswered questions about how earlier donations were spent. Anthony was 17 when he fatally stabbed fellow pupil Austin Metcalf at a Texas high school track meet in April 2025, claiming self-defence; a jury rejected that argument and convicted him of murder, and he was sentenced in June 2026 to 35 years in prison. The case has drawn national attention in the US, partly because it became entangled in wider debates about race and privilege, and scrutiny has intensified after it emerged that his family used previous donations to relocate to a $900,000 home.
An initial fundraiser collected more than $515,000, officially intended to cover relocation costs, living expenses, transport, counselling and security after the family said they had received threats. That fund was taken down after the conviction, and at a press conference in Dallas his legal team – which says it is working pro bono but has racked up over $300,000 in expenses – declined to detail how earlier funds were used. The new "Karmelo Anthony Legal Fund" has already raised over $30,000, with organisers stating the money will go directly into an attorney trust account for appeal-related costs rather than to the family; the appeals process is expected to run into 2027.
In short
- Karmelo Anthony's family seeks $250,000 more for his murder appeal
- Roughly $634,000 already raised; family spent past funds on $900k home
- Anthony was convicted of murdering Austin Metcalf, sentenced to 35 years
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters could argue that a convicted person still has a right to appeal, and that raising money for legal costs helps ensure that right is meaningful. They may also see the new fund’s stated use of an attorney trust account as a clearer, more accountable way to support the appeal, while noting the family previously faced threats and major disruption.
The case against
Donors may reasonably hesitate when the earlier fund raised more than $515,000, the family’s relocation to a costly home has drawn scrutiny, and organisers have not explained in detail how the earlier money was spent. They could argue that further fundraising should wait for clearer accounting, especially given the scale of the new request and the fact that the legal team says it is working pro bono.
Explained simply
Karmelo Anthony was a pupil in Texas who fatally stabbed fellow pupil Austin Metcalf at a school athletics meet in April 2025. Anthony said he acted in self-defence, but a jury convicted him of murder; he was 17 at the time.
The case attracted national attention in the US and became part of wider debates about race and privilege. Donations raised for Anthony’s family after they said they faced threats have also drawn scrutiny, including after the family moved to a costly new home.
Anthony’s lawyers say they are representing him without charge, though they have incurred legal expenses. The appeal is a request for a higher court to review the conviction or sentence, and the way funds for it are raised has become a focus of public interest.