The family of Karmelo Anthony, convicted of murder, is seeking an additional $250,000 in donations to support his upcoming appeal, after a previous fundraising effort reportedly helped them purchase a new home. The family has already raised approximately $634,000 in total for Anthony's legal defense and related expenses.
Anthony, who was 17 at the time of the incident, was convicted of murdering 17-year-old Austin Metcalf. He claimed self-defense during a Texas high school track meet on April 2, 2025, but a jury rejected this argument and found him guilty of murder. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison on June 9.
Following the conviction, Anthony's family stated their intent to appeal. A new fundraiser, the Karmelo Anthony Legal Fund, has been established to finance this process. According to its description, contributions will be deposited directly into an attorney trust account managed by lead attorney Russell Wilson, to be used solely for legal expenses such as briefs, filings, transcripts, investigators, and experts. Anthony's legal team estimates the appeals process could extend into 2027.
This new fundraising effort follows a previous campaign that amassed over $515,000. The Daily Mail reported that this sum was used to facilitate the relocation of the Anthony family to a new home in an exclusive neighborhood, purchased for $900,000, citing escalating threats to their safety and well-being. The funds were also reportedly allocated for basic living costs, transportation, counseling, and security measures.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Dominique Alexander, president of NGAN, declined to comment when questioned by NBC 5 about the allocation of the prior donations. Anthony's lawyers later stated that his legal expenses have surpassed $300,000.
The case has drawn national attention, with the killing of a white teenager by a Black peer becoming a focal point in discussions about race, politics, and privilege. Anthony's supporters maintain he acted in self-defense after being provoked, while critics argue the stabbing was an excessive response that resulted in an unnecessary death. Metcalf was unarmed at the time of the incident.
Following the conviction, Anthony's attorneys argued that his rights were violated during the proceedings. The judge who presided over the trial was later removed from the case, with Anthony's lawyers citing overly strict courtroom rules and a post-trial interview given by the judge. The judge had stated in an interview that the trial "started off bad" and expressed frustration over AI-generated images falsely depicting courtroom scenes circulating online.