Family of Karmelo Anthony seeks $250,000 for appeal after trial denied

Karmelo Anthony’s family is appealing to donors for $250,000 to cover the costs of an appellate challenge after a Collin County judge denied his request for a new trial. The GiveSendGo page has so far attracted $27,000, adding to a prior campaign that amassed more than $600,000 for pre-trial legal fees and family relocation. Anthony, a 19-year-old former student-athlete, received a 35-year sentence for fatally stabbing Austin Metcalv, 17, during a 2025 high-school track event in Frisco, Texas.

The judge’s ruling referenced a sealed handshake agreement between prosecutors and defense that concealed evidence, including Anthony’s threatening texts and the victim’s alleged prior criminal conduct. Defense lawyers claim the arrangement barred Anthony from testifying, undermining the trial’s fairness. Co-counsel Sean Daredia and family spokesperson Dominique Alexander emphasized the high cost of appellate proceedings, while Anthony’s father Andrew thanked supporters for their ongoing assistance.