The family of a teen who fatally stabbed a 17-year-old boy in Texas plans to use his $400,000 legal defense fund to move home and hire security after facing racist threats.
Anthony, 17, was in court as he faces a first-degree murder charge for the killing of Austin Metcalf, who died in his twin brother Hunter’s arms after being stabbed in the heart at a track meet in Frisco earlier this month.
During the hearing, prosecutors asked his father Andrew Anthony why he could not use the more than $415,000 in donated funds for his son’s defense to pay the original $1million bond, which was reduced to $250,000 on Monday.
Just 10 percent of that amount must be paid, meaning Anthony will likely be free very soon.
Andrew Anthony said the fund was to be used for Anthony’s legal defense. But he also disclosed that the cash would be used for security and to help the family move after the threats they have allegedly faced since the killing.
The revelation comes after a spokesperson for the family said they can’t leave their after their address was leaked online, leading to ‘graphic and racist threats,’ which included images of ‘black children with knives stuck in their head.’
Anthony’s attorney Michael Howard said, regarding the money: ‘It would be disingenuous to say there isn’t money… But it is not a bond fund. This family needs to be able to survive.’
The accused teen killer is expected to post bond later on Monday. He will have to wear an ankle monitor and won’t be able to leave his parents’ home without permission from Judge Angela Tucker.
The teen wore a gold jumpsuit, handcuffs and chains as he watched defense lawyers argue he acted in self-defense.
Karmelo Anthony’s family said they are planning on using part of the money donated for his legal defense to relocate after facing threats
Austin Metcalf, 17, died after being stabbed in the heart last week during a track meet
A GiveSendGo page for Anthony has received more than $415,000 as of Monday
‘Every Texan has a right to defend themselves when they reasonably fear for their life. Self-defense is a protection that applies to each and every one of us,’ Howard said, as reported by NBC DFW. ‘There are two sides to every story.’
Howard said he is not ready to disclose why Anthony brought a knife to the track match.
Anthony’s father was also questioned in court over an incident in the teen’s high school back in February that involved an altercation ‘assault.’
It’s not clear whether Anthony was an aggressor, victim or witness in the incident, which was handled internally by Frisco’s independent school district.
The defense also questioned Anthony’s father, who said his son is an A student and captain of the football and track teams at his high school.
Anthony was described as the oldest of three children who had never been arrested before Metcalf’s murder.
He was the captain of his football and track teams at school and worked at Foot Locker, as well as a second job at a H-E-B supermarket prior to the stabbing.
His father said he was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana but the family moved to Texas a few years ago ‘for a better life.’
The father added that he took a leave from his job as a finance manager in a car dealership following Metcalf’s killing.
Anthony’s attorney Michael Howard said the teen will post bond later on Monday, after his bond was lowered from $1million to $250,000
Anthony’s parents said he is an A student and the captain of his football and track teams
Metcalf’s killing has divided the Frisco community and nation at large; Judge Tucker said ‘they’ve never had the security issues they’ve faced with this case,’ according to Fox 4.
A spokesman for the Anthony family was previously forced to deny that the accused killer had been bullied by Austin before the fatal confrontation at the match. The two boys had never met one another prior to the horrific stabbing.
The spokesman addressed the community after some of Anthony’s online supporters claimed ‘there was more to the story’ of the stabbing and said without evidence the teen had been bullied.
An arrest report says a confrontation between the two star football players began when Austin told Karmelo he was sitting under another team’s pop-up tent and told him to move, as reported by NBC DFW.
The two students from different high schools began fighting before Karmelo unzipped his bag and reached in, telling Austin: ‘Touch me and see what happens.’
The report says Austin then ‘grabbed Anthony to tell him to move and Anthony pulled out … a black knife and stabbed Austin once in the chest.’
Austin’s twin brother Hunter held him in his arms and tried to stop the bleeding after the stabbing on Wednesday
The killing happened at the the Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco
Anthony reportedly ran away before being arrested by responding officers.
He had apparently told a school resource officer: ‘I was protecting myself,’ and, ‘He put his hands on me.’
Anthony won’t face the death penalty or life in prison if convicted, as he was a minor when the killing occurred, prosecutors said last week.
