Just weeks after being charged with murder in the brutal stabbing of fellow student Austin Metcalf, 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony is no longer behind bars. Thanks in part to a highly controversial fundraiser that collected over $400,000, Anthony was able to post bond and is now reportedly living in a $900,000 rented home and has purchased a new car, according to reports from Tim Pool and David Harris Jr.
The financial support for Anthony has sparked widespread outrage in Frisco and across the state. His family claims the funds will help cover legal fees and household expenses, but many find the optics troubling. The Anthony family appears to have been financially secure before the murder charge, and the upscale home and new vehicle align with their previous lifestyle. The GiveSendGo fundraiser also clearly notes that not all donations are intended for legal defense, which adds to public frustration. While the backlash is understandable given the circumstances, there is no evidence that the fundraiser is fraudulent.
Anthony, a Texas high school football player, is accused of carrying a knife to a school event and using it to kill another Texas high school football player from another high school. Yet he is currently living at home while the Metcalf family grieves the loss of their son.
On Monday, a Collin County judge reduced Anthony’s bond from $1 million to $250,000, allowing him to walk free while awaiting trial. Anthony was released from the Collin County Jail later that day.
He is now under strict court-ordered house arrest. He must wear an ankle monitor, cannot use social media, and is barred from contacting Metcalf’s family in any way. He can only leave the house with court approval and must always be accompanied by a parent or approved adult.
According to an arrest affidavit, Anthony admitted to the stabbing and asked if it could be considered self-defense, but nothing publicly released so far supports that claim. Witnesses at the UIL District 11-5A track meet said Anthony refused to leave a tent reserved for Memorial High School students. When Austin Metcalf told him to move, Anthony allegedly responded with a threat. After Metcalf touched him, Anthony pulled a knife from his bag and stabbed him in the chest. Metcalf died in the arms of his twin brother. While there are multiple eyewitness reports and some claims that photos or video may exist, many of the narratives shared online and by media outlets remain unverified or unsubstantiated.
In court, defense attorney Mike Howard argued that Anthony has no criminal record and is a hardworking teen with two jobs. He suggested that house arrest and an ankle monitor would be enough to ensure community safety. But prosecutors strongly disagreed.
Assistant District Attorney Bill Wirsky called the killing an unjustified act of violence. He questioned why Anthony even had a knife at a school event and pointed to a previous altercation just months earlier involving the suspect. He also raised concerns about the family’s access to funds, suggesting they could have posted bond at any time.
Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis called the case a terrible tragedy and said his office will follow the facts. But the judge’s decision felt like a slap in the face for the Metcalf family. As the ruling was announced, Austin’s mother bowed her head and wept in court.
The community has been left stunned by the turn of events. Anthony, who has been charged with first-degree murder, is now living in relative comfort while the victim’s family struggles with unbearable grief. His supporters have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, while the fundraiser for the Metcalf family sits just over $340,000.
The legal process will now continue. A grand jury will decide whether to indict Anthony formally, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Until then, he remains at home, free, but with strict bond requirements.
The family of Austin Metcalf continues to mourn a young life stolen far too soon. To support the Metcalf family, you can Donate Here.
