Karmelo Anthony, 17, is being charged with the stinging death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf. Anthony’s legal team is working to cut down on $1 million in bonds.
The Texas teenager is charged with murder in the death of a student-athlete who was killed during a track competition, and authorities say he has admitted to doing it from self-defense.
Carmelo Anthony, 17, was charged with first-degree murder on April 2 at the death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, and affidavit on arrest warrant obtained Tuesday by USA Today, according to Frisco police.
His bonds were set at $1 million, according to online court records and his attorney, Billy Clark.
“We are pursuing habeas corps warrants to reduce bonds,” Clark told USA Today Tuesday.
Another Anthony lawyer, Derrick Walpole, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on USA Today on Tuesday, but told KXAS-TV that his client said it was self-defense.
“I know my clients said it was self-defense,” he told the outlet. “I have no reason not to believe it, but I need to unfold the facts, talk to people, understand what is going on before I make a statement about what I think has happened… there’s no reason to think it’s not self-defense at this point.”
This is something else you need to know.
What happened on the day Austin Metcalf was killed?
The murder occurred on the morning of April 2 at a track competition at Kyukendor Stadium in the Frisco Independent School District.
Metcalf is a student at Memorial High School, and Anthony attended 100th Anniversary High School about seven miles away, police said. Someone asked for help about an argument between Anthony and Metcalf around 10am that day.
The two clearly had disagreements in their seats, and Metcalf was stabbed in the heart, Austin American politician reported.
The first responder tried to save Metcalf, but he was declared ultimately dead, police said. He died that day in the arms of his twin brothers, KDFW-TV reported.
“I did that,” the defendant told the school’s resource officer.
The school’s resource officer was the first to arrive at the scene, according to an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by USA Today. When officers told Anthony to raise his hand, the teen allegedly said, “I was protecting myself.”
Other statements made by Anthony include:
“He put his hand on me.” “I did that.” “I wonder if he’s okay?”
Officers also found blood in their teenagers’ hands, the affidavit said.
Frisco police officers also said in the affidavit that Anthony asked if he could consider what he did as self-defense.
The first responder tried to save Metcalf under a nearby tent, but other investigators on the scene began searching for a knife they heard Anthony used to stab Metcalf, according to the affidavit. The investigator found the knife on the stand.
“Touch me and see what happens.”
Investigators spoke to more than 20 people who saw what happened, including a track team member at Memorial High School, according to the affidavit.
One witness told authorities he was sitting under a Memorial High School tent with his team while Metcalf and Anthony were sitting nearby. The witnesses were sitting under the team’s tent when Anthony told him that Metcalf needed to move to him.
“Anthony grabbed his bag, opened it and reached inside (Metcalf) and said, “Let’s touch me and see what happens,” the affidavit said.
Metcalf touched Anthony and he told Metcalf to punch him and see what happens, the witness said. Metcalf then grabbed Anthony and told him to move again. It was when Anthony pulled out the knife and stabbed Metcalf in the chest once, before he escaped,
Metcalf began grabbing her chest and told people to get help, the affidavit said. He was declared dead soon.
Police oppose misinformation
Frisco Police Chief David Silson said in a statement Friday that Metcalf’s death was “devastating” and warned him not to believe everything that community members don’t read, hear or hear.
Various reports have emerged on social media following the murder, which incorrectly reported the facts of the case.
On Friday night, police dispelled rumors about Metcalf’s cause of death, warning him, “Please do not contribute to misinformation by spreading unconfirmed information.”
Lover begins a fundraiser for victims and defendants
So far, at least two fundraisers have been created to raise funds for Metcalf’s loved ones, politicians reported. One raised more than $125,000, and the other raised nearly $300,000 as of Tuesday afternoon when Metcalf’s father began.
“He was a male leader,” Jeff Metcalf wrote of his son. “His smile will brighten up the room. His passion for football was incredible. He voted for Team MVP this past season and carried a 4.0 GPA. He was looking forward to taking the game to the next level.”
At least two GoFundmes have been launched for Karmelo Anthony, but have been defeated, politicians reported. In accordance with the fundraising terms and conditions, GoFundMe cannot be used in “legal defense of financial and violent crimes.”
One fundraiser said Anthony pays homage to “not even hurt” and “no criminal history.” It raised $140,000 before it was removed, politicians reported. Anthony’s third fundraiser was created through Gives Endgo and raised about $250,000, a $300,000 target by Tuesday afternoon.
“The spread of the story is false, unjust and harmful,” the Anthony family wrote in a Gives Endgo’s fundraiser description. “As a family of faith, we are deeply grateful for all your support during this ordeal. Your prayers and support mean more to us than ever before.”
Frisco Police Chief Silson said Friday that the day was “terrifying and confusing.”
He said the family relies on faith to overcome the loss of their son.
“We encourage our community to do the same,” the chief said.
Saleen Martin is a reporter for the USA Today Now team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia. 757. Please email sdmartin@usatoday.com.
