Karmelo Anthony, a teenage convict from Texas, has sought the court’s assistance to appoint a free public defender for an appeal. This request comes despite his family raising over $500,000 to cover his legal costs. Anthony was convicted and sentenced to 35 years in prison by a Collin County jury for the 2025 murder of Austin Metcalf.
Anthony filed a notice of appeal soon after his conviction. He claimed in court documents to be penniless and unable to afford a lawyer. This contradicts the previous fundraising success that gathered around $634,000, nearly half of the initial $1.4 million target. However, the fundraiser on GiveSendGo was discontinued following his conviction.
The fundraiser had aimed to assist with legal expenses and various other costs associated with the family’s situation.
The campaign, organized by Anthony’s mother, Kala Hayes, was removed from the GiveSendGo platform. It aimed not only at supporting legal defense but also at addressing urgent family needs. These included relocation due to safety threats, basic living expenses, and other necessary security measures.
Details about the Anthony family’s relocation were not provided. According to GiveSendGo, fundraisers meant for legal defenses in violent cases must clearly state that funds are solely for legal costs. The funds should go directly to a licensed attorney involved in the defense, not to the defendant or the organizer.
Austin Metcalf, a junior at Memorial High School, was stabbed by Anthony during a track meet. The incident took place in April 2025, and the fundraiser was initiated shortly thereafter.
In a statement on X, GiveSendGo stated that the fundraiser was created for pre-trial needs, and the funds were used lawfully for legal defense and family relocation. With these needs now met, the fundraiser has been closed.
Fox News Digital reached out for comments from both Anthony’s attorney and GiveSendGo.
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