Sickening Spending Of Karmelo Anthony’s Family Found As Fundraiser Gets Shut Down

Just days after being convicted of murdering Texas high school student Austin Metcalf and receiving a 35-year prison sentence, Karmelo Anthony is now claiming he is too poor to afford legal representation for his appeal—a claim raising serious questions given the hundreds of thousands of dollars raised in his name over the past year.

Anthony, 19, was convicted Tuesday for the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a confrontation at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas. The case drew national attention and sparked intense public debate after Anthony claimed he acted in self-defense, an argument ultimately rejected by the jury.

Following his conviction, Anthony quickly filed a notice of appeal seeking to challenge the verdict. However, court documents obtained by local media reveal that Anthony is now asking the court for assistance, claiming he lacks the financial resources necessary to hire an attorney.

In the filing, Anthony described himself as a “penniless, destitute, and indigent person, too poor to employ counsel to represent me on the appeal.”

The claim has generated renewed scrutiny because Anthony’s family previously benefited from an online fundraising campaign that brought in an enormous amount of money following the fatal stabbing.

The GiveSendGo fundraiser, titled “Help Karmelo Official Fund,” reportedly raised nearly $634,000 before being removed from the crowdfunding platform. The campaign was launched on April 15, 2025, less than two weeks after the deadly incident that took Austin Metcalf’s life.

The fundraising effort originally sought to collect nearly $1.4 million and received donations from supporters across the country. According to the campaign description, the money was intended for more than legal expenses.

“While legal defense is a critical part of this journey, we want to make it clear that this fund is not solely dedicated to legal expenses. The funds raised will also support a range of urgent and necessary means that have emerged as a result of the situation, including – but not limited to – 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.”

Questions remain about exactly how the funds were spent and whether any portion remains available to assist with Anthony’s appeal.

The fundraiser’s removal also generated attention online. GiveSendGo addressed the decision in a public statement, explaining that the campaign had effectively completed its mission.

“The fundraiser was created to support pre-trial needs, and those funds were dispersed over the past year for lawful purposes, including legal defense and family relocation with that stated purpose now complete the fundraiser has been closed. Our policy is that a fundraiser stated purpose stays accurate so givers always know what they are supporting.”

The platform did not provide a detailed accounting of how the money was distributed, nor did it indicate whether any funds remained under the control of Anthony or his family.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that another fundraising effort has emerged on behalf of the Anthony family. The new campaign was reportedly organized by Dominique Alexander, a Dallas-area activist and minister who frequently appeared as a spokesman for the family throughout the legal proceedings.

The conviction marked the conclusion of one of the most closely watched criminal trials in Texas in recent years. Prosecutors argued that Anthony’s actions were unjustified and presented evidence showing that Metcalf was unarmed when he was stabbed. The jury ultimately sided with the prosecution and delivered a guilty verdict.

For many observers, Anthony’s claim of financial hardship has become one of the latest controversial developments in a case that has already generated widespread public outrage. While he pursues an appeal from prison, critics are questioning how someone connected to a fundraising effort that collected nearly $634,000 can now claim to be unable to afford legal counsel.

The appeal process will move forward in the coming months, but Anthony’s assertion that he is “penniless” is likely to remain a major point of public debate as the case continues to unfold.