KEY POINT SUMMARY: Karmelo Anthony murder case
- Karmelo Anthony, 17, was released on bond in a murder case involving a teen stabbed at a track meet.
- He now lives in a $900K home in a gated Texas community with his family.
- Neighbors expressed outrage and discomfort, citing new cars and delivery activity.
- His family raised over $440K online, part of which funds legal and security costs.
- Critics question the reduced bond and use of funds amid the ongoing investigation.
Teen Released On Bond Amid Murder Charges
Karmelo Anthony, the 17-year-old at the center of the Karmelo Anthony murder case, now lives in comfort while awaiting trial for the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf. The alleged murder occurred during a heated dispute at a track meet on April 2. Authorities charged Anthony with first-degree murder after Metcalf, also 17, was stabbed in the heart.
Although prosecutors initially held Anthony on a $1 million bond, a judge later reduced it to $250,000. Following his release, Anthony returned homeโspecifically, to a $900,000 house in Friscoโs exclusive Richwoods neighborhood.
Living In Luxury While Facing Trial
The upscale home, where Anthony resides with his family, is located just a mile from his former high school. Locals were stunned by his presence in the community, especially after his legal team argued that his original bond was unaffordable due to financial hardship.
Despite those claims, reports noted multiple cars in the driveway, including a new vehicle with a temporary tag set to expire in June. Neighbors said Amazon deliveries have flooded the residence daily since his return.
โHe got a new car,โ one resident observed. โThe best thing they can do is move,โ another added, expressing fears over the accused killerโs presence in the neighborhood.
Public Backlash Over Fundraising And Comfort
The controversy deepened after the public discovered the family had raised over $440,000 through a crowdfunding campaign. The fundraiser, set up on GiveSendGo, claimed to cover legal defense fees and living expenses. Critics now question how much of the money went to secure Anthonyโs release or enhance his lifestyle.
During a court hearing, prosecutors grilled the family on why they hadnโt used those funds to pay his bond sooner. The family responded that accessing the money wasnโt simple and explained that much had gone toward hiring legal experts and private security.
Family Claims Self-Defense And Misleading Narrative
According to court documents, Anthony told investigators he acted in self-defense during the fatal confrontation. His family maintains that media narratives have misrepresented the situation, calling them โfalse, unjust, and harmful.โ
His attorney, Mike Howard, defended the reduced bond and criticized the original amount as excessive. He also cited Anthonyโs clean record and the need to protect the familyโs younger children.
โThis family needs to be able to survive,โ Howard said. โGiven everything, the safety of their children is very warranted.โ
Prosecutors And Neighbors Demand Accountability
However, not everyone agrees. Collin County prosecutors pressed the issue of financial transparency in court and suggested that the familyโs living situation contradicted their claims of hardship. First Assistant Prosecutor Bill Wirsky highlighted the contradiction, pointing to the familyโs luxury lifestyle as inconsistent with their plea for financial relief.
Neighbors echoed that sentiment, with several expressing outrage over Anthonyโs release into their community. โTheyโre not poor people,โ one said. โThatโs for sure.โ
Others are more concerned about safety than optics. โNot good. I donโt think he should be out,โ said a mother in the neighborhood, reflecting the tension now simmering behind the gates of Richwoods.
Trial Looms As Case Draws National Attention
As the Karmelo Anthony murder case moves toward trial, scrutiny continues to mount. Questions persist about the use of donations, the legal process, and how the case is unfolding in the court of public opinion.
Anthony remains under 24-hour supervision and wears an ankle monitor. But for many watching, his current lifestyle seems far removed from the gravity of the charges he faces. Whether justice will be served remains to be seenโbut for now, the backlash surrounding his release is far from over.
