Karmelo Anthony‘s family will use over $400,000 in donations to buy a new house.
Karmelo walked out of the Collin County Jail on Monday, April 14, after Judge Angela Tucker lowered his bond amount from $1 million to $250,000.
Video footage shows the 17-year-old walking out of jail while surrounded by several beefy bodyguards. A female reporter rushed forward to interview him but a bodyguard blocked her.
BREAKING: Karmelo Anthony, teen charged in fatal track meet stabbing, released on bond after judge lowered the amount from $1 million to $250,000
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) April 14, 2025
Karmelo is charged with fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf in the heart during a dispute at a high school track meet on April 2 in Frisco, Texas.
Karmelo admitted to the crime and asked police if he could claim self-defense.
A GiveSendGo account created by Karmelo’s parents raised over $433,000 for his legal defense.
However, a source tells the The Sun UK newspaper that Karmelo’s parents will use the money as a down payment on a lavish new home in an upscale gated community.
During a court hearing on Monday, Karmelo’s father, Andrew, told Judge Tucker the donations would be used to pay legal fees and security.
Andrew Anthony described Karmelo as a straight-A student who has never been arrested before. He was the captain of his high school football and track teams and worked at Foot Locker, as well as a second job at H-E-B supermarket.
As part of his release terms, Karmelo is on house arrest with an ankle monitor.
The family’s lawyer, who previously said the money would be used for legal fees, justified the purchase of a new house.
“This family needs to be able to survive,” defense attorney Mike Howard said. “I think at this point, living in a gated community, given everything, the safety of their younger children is very warranted. Security details and criminal defense are not cheap.”
The lawyer did not respond to allegations that Karmelo’s parents are using public donations to fund their lavish lifestyle.
