Karmelo Anthony(Left) and Austin Metcalf, who was stabbed to death by Anthony(Right). Image Credit: Texas Department of Criminal Justice/FOX News
Why is Karmelo Anthony’s family seeking another $250,000
Karmelo Anthony’s family has launched a new fundraiser seeking $250,000 to pay for his appeal after an earlier campaign raised nearly $634,000. The 19-year-old was sentenced to 35 years in prison in June 2026 after a jury convicted him of murdering 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, in April 2025. The new campaign aims to raise $250,000 to cover the costs associated with that legal challenge.
Because of safety concerns, as well as paying for basic living expenses, transport, counselling and security measures, its stated purpose also included helping the family relocate. The new fundraising campaign was announced at a news conference in Dallas, Texas, following a judge’s rejection of Anthony’s request for a new trial. As reported by Fox News, the campaign was not intended to cover legal expenses alone.
The fresh fundraising effort has renewed questions about how the previous donations were spent, particularly after Anthony said he could not afford a lawyer to challenge his murder conviction. The new campaign is structured differently, with donations intended to go directly into an attorney’s trust account, according to Fox News. The family and its supporters, including attorney Russell Wilson, outlined plans to challenge the conviction through the appeals process, according to Fox News.
However, the family’s latest appeal has also drawn criticism online. The money will reportedly be used for legal expenses, including court filings, transcripts, investigators and expert witnesses. The family faced threats and unwanted attention as the case attracted national interest. The broader purpose of the fundraiser was presented as a way to help them manage the consequences of the case alongside the legal proceedings.
Unlike the earlier campaign, the new arrangement places the donations in a trust account administered by Wilson, rather than allowing the family to receive or control the funds directly.