The family of convicted murderer Karmelo Anthony is asking supporters for another $250,000, adding to the approximately $634,000 already donated, even as scrutiny continues over how earlier contributions were used and despite his lawyers representing him without charge.
Anthony’s relatives and legal representatives addressed reporters at a Dallas press conference Wednesday, nearly two weeks after a judge turned down his bid for a new trial.
Anthony, who was 17 when the incident occurred, maintained that he acted in self-defense when he fatally stabbed fellow 17-year-old Austin Metcalf in the heart during a Texas high school track meet on April 2, 2025.
The killing drew national attention, with the death of a white teenager at the hands of a Black classmate quickly becoming a divisive focal point in broader arguments over race, politics and privilege.
An earlier fundraising campaign brought in more than $515,000 before it was removed after jurors rejected Anthony’s self-defense argument and found him guilty of murder. Anthony, now 19, was sentenced on June 9 to 35 years in prison.
The Daily Mail previously revealed that Anthony’s family relocated to a $900,000 home in an exclusive neighborhood after allegedly receiving threats at their former residence.
The family used the $515,000 raised in April 2025 to support ‘the safe relocation of the Anthony family due to escalating threats to their safety and well-being, as well as basic living costs, transportation, counseling, and other security measures,’ according to the previous GiveSendGo description.
Despite the conviction, his parents have vowed to continue fighting for their son.
The family of convicted killer Karmelo Anthony is seeking an additional $250,000 in donations to help support his appeal after his new trial bid was denied by a judge
Anthony was found guilty of murdering Austin Metcalf on June 9 and subsequently sentenced to 35 years in prison
‘We love you, son. We’re going to keep fighting. And this is not over,’ Anthony’s father, Andrew Anthony, said.
To fund the appeal, the Karmelo Anthony Legal Fund was launched and has already raised more than $30,000.
‘All contributions will be deposited directly into an attorney trust account administered by lead attorney Russell Wilson. Karmelo’s family will not receive, control, or spend these funds,’ the GiveSendGo page states.
‘Contributions will be used solely for legal expenses, briefs and filings, transcripts, investigators, experts, and other necessary litigation costs.’
Anthony’s attorneys said the appeals process could stretch into 2027.
During the press conference, NBC 5 questioned the legal team about how the previous donations had been spent. Dominique Alexander, president of NGAN, declined to answer.
‘We’re not gonna comment on that. We don’t know all of the information regarding those different fees,’ Alexander said.
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Anthony’s lawyers later said his legal expenses have exceeded $300,000.
Anthony admitted stabbing Metcalf at a track meet in Frisco but maintained that he acted in self-defense.
To fund the appeal, the Karmelo Anthony Legal Fund was launched and has already raised more than $30,000
Anthony’s parents have spoken out, claiming he did not get a fair trial and vowed to ‘keep fighting’
The jury rejected that argument and also declined to convict him on the lesser charge of manslaughter.
After roughly three hours of deliberations, jurors found Anthony guilty of murder and sentenced him to over three decades in prison.
Following the conviction, Anthony’s parents argued their son did not receive a fair trial and vowed to appeal.
Two months later, Anthony assembled a new six-lawyer legal team, which has argued that his rights were violated during the proceedings.
Judge Roach, who presided over the trial, was later removed from the case after Anthony’s attorneys argued that he imposed overly strict courtroom rules and gave an interview after the trial concluded.
Roach sat for an 18-minute interview with WFAA in Dallas, during which he said he had followed the law ‘to a T’ and acknowledged that the trial ‘started off bad.’
He also said he was ‘ticked’ when AI-generated images falsely claiming to depict scenes from inside the courtroom began circulating online. Cameras and photography were prohibited during the proceedings.
After Anthony’s murder trial, the judge who presided over the case released a trove of evidence, like this image of the Memorial High School tent where the stabbing happened on April 2, 2025
Defense attorney Russell Wilson argued the interview should not have taken place because Roach knew the case would be appealed.
Anthony’s supporters contend he acted in self-defense after being bullied, shoved and provoked.
Critics argue the stabbing was a disproportionate response that did not need to end in death.
Metcalf was unarmed when Anthony stabbed him in the heart.