Karmelo Anthony’s family is seeking $250,000 to help fund his appeal after his conviction in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf. The new fundraising campaign says donations will be held in an attorney trust account and used only for legal expenses. The request follows an earlier campaign that raised nearly $634,000 before being removed from public view after Anthony’s conviction. Questions remain about how the earlier funds were spent, although Anthony’s parents have not been accused of wrongdoing.

New appeal fundraising campaign

The family announced the new $250,000 fundraising goal at a news conference in Dallas, Texas, nearly two weeks after a judge denied Anthony’s request for a new trial. Attorney Russell Wilson said the money would pay for legal fees, court filings, transcripts, investigators, experts and other costs connected with the appeal.

The campaign identified Trinicia Ricks as its creator and Wilson as the person designated to receive the funds. When reviewed, the page reported $30,194 raised. It also stated that Anthony’s family would not receive or control the money, with donations instead deposited into an attorney trust account.

Anthony’s conviction and appellate timeline

Anthony, 19, was sentenced to 35 years in prison in June after a jury convicted him of murdering Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas. Anthony remains in custody and has appealed the conviction, arguing in court filings that he is unable to afford appellate counsel.

Wilson said the denial of a new-trial motion does not end the appellate process. The trial record is expected to be assembled in October, after which both sides are expected to submit written arguments. The Dallas Court of Appeals could later hold a hearing, and Wilson said the process may take more than a year.

“I think there’s a misconception that the motion for new trial denial would have ended an appeal. It actually is part of an appeal,” Wilson said.

Questions surrounding the earlier fundraiser

An earlier campaign launched on Anthony’s behalf in April 2025 raised $633,908 and initially set a goal of nearly $1.4 million. Organizers said the money could be used for legal defense, relocation, basic living expenses, transportation, counseling and security.

The campaign was removed from public view after Anthony’s conviction. The fundraising platform said the money had been distributed during the previous year for lawful purposes, including legal defense and moving the family, and that the campaign closed after its stated purpose was completed.

Financial records and family response

At the Dallas news conference, a reporter asked Dominique Alexander, a civil rights activist and spokesman for the family, about the new request and the use of money from the earlier campaign. The questions included claims that donations may have been used to purchase a car or house.

Alexander rejected those claims as deliberate lies but declined to detail the family’s fees or say whether any money remained. He said the earlier fund also helped the family relocate after threats.

“That fund was established to not only help with the legal process, but also be able to relocate this family to safety,” Alexander said.

Public records previously showed that Anthony’s parents, Andrew Anthony III and Kala Hayes, were connected to business entities in Louisiana and Texas. A Texas entity listing Andrew Anthony III as its registered agent became active 24 days after Metcalf’s death. The records did not establish whether either company generated revenue, held assets or received money from the fundraiser. Anthony’s parents have not been accused of wrongdoing.

How the appeal funding will be handled

The new campaign is structured differently from the earlier fundraiser by directing contributions to an attorney trust account administered by Wilson. According to the campaign page, the funds are restricted to expenses related to challenging Anthony’s conviction rather than general household costs.

Anthony has described himself in court filings as “penniless, destitute, and indigent” and unable to employ counsel for the appeal. Wilson has not disclosed the defense strategy, saying some issues may become important in later proceedings. The appeal will proceed while Anthony remains incarcerated.

Summary

The new fundraising effort is intended to support Anthony’s legal challenge while placing control of the donations with his attorney. The appeal’s next major procedural step is the preparation of the trial record, expected in October. Questions about the earlier campaign remain unresolved publicly, but available records do not establish that the family or its connected businesses improperly received or used the funds.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the new appeal campaign seeking?

The campaign has a goal of $250,000 and reported $30,194 raised when reviewed.

What happened to the earlier fundraiser?

The earlier campaign raised $633,908, was later removed from public view, and the fundraising platform said the money had been distributed for lawful purposes including legal defense and relocation.

How will the new donations be used?

The campaign says donations will go into an attorney trust account and be used for legal expenses such as filings, transcripts, investigators and experts.

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