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The 17-year-old accused of stabbing an athlete to death in Texas has hired a new defense attorney ahead of his first court appearance.
Austin Metcalf, a 17-year-old, tragically lost his life on April 2 at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco. The incident occurred when Karmelo Anthony allegedly brandished a knife at him for being seated in the incorrect area during a track meet, according to the authorities.
Karmelo fatally stabbed Austin in the heart after Austin informed him that he was in the wrong seat during the competition between their respective schools, as indicated by the family of the deceased teenager. Consequently, Austin bled to death while being cradled in the arms of his twin brother, Hunter.
Just before his bond hearing on Monday, Karmelo’s family retained Mike Howard, a Dallas criminal defense attorney.
Former legal representatives of Karmelo, Billy Clark and Kim T. Cole, have disclosed to WFAA that they will no longer be acting on behalf of Karmelo. Additionally, the Next Generation Action Network (NGAN), a non-profit organization supporting the teenager, has publicized this legal development.
‘The family of Karmelo Anthony has officially retained Attorney Mike Howard as lead counsel in Karmelo’s legal defense,’ the group said.
‘We are grateful for the early support from Attorneys Billy Clark and Kim Cole, and we continue working to build a strong legal team for the fight ahead.
‘Karmelo deserves what every citizen deserves: fair treatment and full rights under the law. We won’t stop fighting until he gets it,’ the organization added alongside the donation link to raise money for him.
Karmelo Anthony, the teen accused stabbing Austin Metcalf to death on April 2 at a track meet at the Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, has hired a new lawyer ahead of his hearing Monday
Austin, 17, was stabbed to death after he told Karmelo he was sitting in the wrong area during a track meet, according to police
Since the tragic event unfolded, two fundraisers were created – one in honor of Austin and the other to support Karmelo, who has admitted killing Austin but claims he did so in self-defense.
As of Sunday afternoon, more than $400,000 was raised for Karmelo and his family ‘during this challenging and difficult time,’ while Austin’s has reached about $340,000.
Just before his bond hearing on Monday, Karmelo’s family have hired Mike Howard, a Dallas criminal defense attorney
Karmelo remains in custody at Collin County jail on a $1 million bond but is expected to ask for a reduction on Monday.
While the teen’s legal team was changing, a private funeral was held for Austin on Saturday morning at Hope Fellowship Frisco East church, and was followed by a private burial.
Loved ones and fellow teammates were seen walking into the service wearing their football jerseys for Austin, footage, obtained by Fox 4, showed.
He played on the Frisco Memorial High School varsity team and was also voted MVP this season. Austin was also a member of the school’s track and field team.
His father, Jeff Metcalf, told the outlet how proud he was of his late son. ‘He was on the right track, doing everything right.’
Jeff emotionally described the moment he saw his dead son at his funeral, telling the outlet: ‘And when I kissed his forehead today, as his body was cold, I ran my fingers through his hair – I told him “It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later. I’ll join you at some point too son, you just beat me to this place”.’
Austin bled out in his twin brother Hunter’s arms after being stabbed at the stadium (pictured)
As of Sunday afternoon, more than $400,000 was raised for Karmelo and his family ‘during this challenging and difficult time’
After Austin was stabbed, Karmelo reportedly told cops: ‘I’m not alleged. I did it,’ as he was taken into custody.
An arrest report says a confrontation between the two star football players began when Austin told Karmelo he was sitting under another team’s pop-up tent and told him to move, as reported by NBC DFW.
The two students from different high schools began fighting before Karmelo unzipped his bag and reached in, telling Austin: ‘Touch me and see what happens.’
The report says Austin then ‘grabbed Anthony to tell him to move and Anthony pulled out … a black knife and stabbed Austin once in the chest.’
Karmelo reportedly ran away before being arrested by responding officers.
He had apparently told a school resource officer: ‘I was protecting myself,’ and, ‘He put his hands on me.’
Karlmelo also asked an officer if what he did could be considered self-defense and asked whether the victim was going to be okay, per police.
While the teen’s legal team was changing, a private funeral was held for Austin on Saturday morning at Hope Fellowship Frisco East church, and was followed by a private burial
According to a defense attorney, he won’t face the death penalty or life without parole if convicted of murder.
‘The Supreme Court has said not only can you not seek the death penalty against someone who committed a crime when they’re 17, you can’t even get them life without parole,’ Collin County district attorney Greg Willis told WFAA.
‘That would not be something we could do even if we wanted to,’ he added.
Willis also addressed concerns about whether the case should be tried outside Collin County, given the publicity it has received and the division it has caused in the community.
‘We know his lawyers would be asking for that, but we need to just let all that play out in the courtroom,’ Willis said, without commenting on whether he’d support such a move to try and avoid jury prejudice.
He added: ‘Ultimately, that’ll be a judge’s decision to make at the time of trial, but, yes, this happened in Collin County. I want Collin County citizens to be able to decide this.’
The DA’s comments come after a spokesman for Karmelo was forced to deny that the accused killer had been bullied by Austin before the fatal confrontation at the match.
The two boys had never met one another prior to the horrific stabbing.
His father, Jeff Metcalf, told the outlet how proud he was of his late son. ‘He was on the right track, doing everything right’
‘The disinformation that is going online is hurting this case and it has to stop. As we know right now, Austin Metcalf and Karmelo Anthony did not know each other,’ said Dominique Alexander, who works with NGAN.
‘Karmelo Anthony has a right to a fair trial, unbiased and removed of racial hate and bigotry,’ he added at a press conference held Tuesday.
The spokesman also said Karmelo’s family can’t leave their home after their address was leaked online, leading to ‘graphic and racist threats.’
They have been sent images of ‘black children with knives stuck in their head,’ Alexander said.