Karmelo Anthony, convicted in the 2025 stabbing death of Austin Metcalf, has filed a notice of appeal challenging his murder conviction and is seeking a court-appointed attorney, stating he cannot afford legal representation. The request was made in court documents just one day after a Collin County jury found him guilty and sentenced him to 35 years in prison.
"too poor to employ counsel to represent me…" — Karmelo Anthony, Appeal Filing
Anthony’s handwritten notice of appeal, reviewed by WFAA, describes him as unable to pay for legal counsel and formally asks the court to appoint an attorney to represent him during the appellate process. The filing utilizes standard legal language, asserting that Anthony lacks financial resources and is indigent, a common prerequisite for public legal assistance. Court records indicate that Anthony submitted the document using a form he modified by hand.
Under Texas law, defendants are granted 30 days following their sentencing to file a notice of appeal, which serves to formally initiate the appellate review process. Upon the filing of such a notice, courts typically conduct an evaluation to determine whether a defendant qualifies as indigent, thereby making them eligible for court-appointed counsel at public expense. This determination generally involves a thorough review of the defendant's financial information and overall circumstances presented to the court.
Anthony was taken into custody at the Collin County courthouse immediately after his sentencing and has since been transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. He completed his intake processing and has been assigned to a correctional facility near Navasota, where he remains in custody as the initial procedural steps of his appeal unfold.
Mike Howard, Anthony’s trial attorney, confirmed that the defense has already commenced the appellate process. Howard noted that filing a notice of appeal is a routine component of post-conviction proceedings and highlighted a defendant’s constitutional right to challenge their convictions through appellate review. He further indicated that multiple potential issues from the trial are currently under consideration for appeal, though specific arguments have not yet been formally detailed.
The conviction stems from an incident in April 2025 at a high school track and field meet in Frisco, Texas. Prosecutors alleged that Anthony fatally stabbed 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a confrontation that erupted between students from rival schools. Testimony presented during the trial indicated that the incident began when Metcalf instructed Anthony to leave a team tent area, which subsequently escalated into a physical altercation. Jurors heard evidence suggesting Metcalf pushed Anthony during the confrontation, after which Anthony reportedly drew a folding knife from his backpack and stabbed Metcalf once in the chest. The defense team contended that Anthony’s actions constituted self-defense, while prosecutors maintained that the use of deadly force was not justified given the circumstances presented in court.
Anthony’s claim of inability to afford legal counsel for his appeal comes amidst earlier reports regarding significant crowdfunding efforts associated with his defense. According to the New York Post, an online fundraising campaign linked to Anthony’s family successfully raised more than $600,000 for legal expenses. This campaign was reportedly closed following the trial verdict. The fundraising platform, GiveSendGo, stated that the funds collected were specifically intended for pre-trial costs and confirmed the campaign’s conclusion once that phase ended. The platform also indicated that, depending on its policies, new fundraising efforts could potentially be launched to cover appellate representation.
Social media accounts have also drawn attention to the discrepancy. Breanna Morello posted on X, "Karmelo Anthony claims he cannot afford a lawyer for his appeal. According to his appeal, Karmelo is, 'too poor to employ counsel to represent me…' Karmelo raised $625,000 for his legal battle, but some of those funds were used to help his family 'relocate' after allegedly…" Similarly, Right Angle News Network posted, "BREAKING – Karmelo Anthony’s family is now forcing him to file paperwork claiming he is 'penniless, destitute, and indigent' in an effort to obtain a free appellate lawyer, despite moving into a $900,000 home and purchasing a $150,000 car after raising over $600,000." These claims regarding the expenditure of funds have not been independently verified by official court documents or confirmed by Anthony's legal team.
As the case transitions into its appellate phase, the court has yet to rule on Anthony’s request for appointed counsel or to make a determination regarding his indigence for the purpose of the appeal. The decisions made will dictate whether Anthony receives a state-funded attorney and how his appeal will procedurally advance through the Texas court system.
