A Texas teen charged in the stabbing death of a track star is holed up in an exclusive gated community in a $900,000 house – despite claiming to have limited financial means as he convinced a judge to release him from jail.
Karmelo Anthony, 17, walked free from prison after a controversial decision by a judge to lower his bond for charges that he stabbed and killed Austin Metcalf at a track meet on April 2.
Local cops says a confrontation between Metcalf and Anthony broke out during a high school track meet when Metcalf called out Anthony, who did not attend the same school as Metcalf, for sitting under their tent.
Metcalf demanded Anthony leave and the argument escalted when Anthony produced a knife and stabbed the junior from Memorial High School in the chest.
Metcalf died in his twin brother’s arms who was also at the track meet.
As part of the terms of his release, Anthony is under house arrest and must wear an ankle monitor.
The teenager is now hunkered down in a Frisco home located on Mercedes Lane that his family is renting for an estimated price tag of $3,500 a month, according to Zillow.
When DailyMail.com visited the home Tuesday, a white Suburban, a black Acura and a third sedan were parked in the driveway.
One resident told DailyMail.com the family just purchased a new vehicle.
Accused teen killer Karmelo Anthony lives in an ritzy gated community, Richwoods, in Frisco, Texas. The 17-year-old will spend his house arrest there
Austin Metcalf (left) was killed April 2 after he was stabbed in the chest. Accused teen killer Karmelo Anthony (right) is released from jail Monday after a judge ordered the teen’s bond lowered when his family claimed financial struggles
Anthony’s family has been renting a $900,000 home in the gate community “Richwoods’ in Frisco, Texas
‘He got a new car. If you look at the license plate, it’s got a paper tag and it says it expires June 4,’ the resident, who asked to remain anonymous, shared.
The lavish lifestyle is in stark contract to the cash struggles Anthony’s father, Andrew Anthony, claimed to have in court Monday, where the parent claimed he was the sole breadwinner.
Prosecutors grilled Anthony over why he could not use the more than $439,000 (as of Tuesday night) in donated funds for his son’s defense to pay the $1 million bond the judge had set.
Andrew told the court that he has no access to the donated funds and instead planned to use the money for his son’s legal defense.
Many of the family’s neighbors didn’t know the Anthonys lived among them until Karmelo came home from jail Monday.
‘Richwoods,’ as the exclusive community is called, is located within walking distance of Centennial High School, where Anthony ran track and was the captain of the football team before his arrest.
Most resident were not happy the teen was there and even expressed fear for their safety.
The exclusive neighborhood is located within walking distance of Centennial High School where Anthony attended school
The Anthony family claimed to have cash problems while living in the expensive Richwoods gated neighborhood
A pizza delivery man arrived at the Anthony home around lunch time
Aside from the food delivery, multiple other packages were dropped off at the home Tuesday
‘Not good. Not good. I don’t think he should be out. I don’t understand why he had a knife? My kids were in track. Your tents, for you school, you don’t sit under another school’s tent. That is NOT done because everyone leaves their stuff there while they’re out on events,’ the mom explained.
‘Why would you stab someone? And now he’s a few doors down. It’s very scary. Like could he rob houses? I don’t know.’
No one came to door when DailyMail.com attempted to seek comment from Anthony’s family.
Other neighbors learned the family connected to heinous crime lived near them while speaking to DailyMail.com.
‘The whole reason we live here is because it’s gated,’ he added.
‘This is supposed to be a good neighborhood. These are high-end houses. Not everyone can move in here. I don’t even know what to say. This is supposed to be a safe.’
That neighbor questioned why the Anthonys would be asking for public donations while maintaining the lifestyle everyone in that community has.
‘They’re not poor people. That’s for sure.’
Karmelo Anthony, 17, did not answer questions from reporters Monday as he walked out of jail
An online fundraising site, GiveSendGo, has raised over $439,000 for Karmelo Anthony as of Tuesday night
Austin’s twin brother Hunter held him in his arms and tried to stop the bleeding after the stabbing on April 2
The altercation between Anthony and Metcalf happened at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas April 2. Anthony, who does not attend school with Metcalf, sat under the tent for the Memorial High School Warriors
Throughout the day, deliveries for the Anthonys arrived, with Amazon drivers making multiple stops.
Around lunch time, a Dominos Pizza order arrived.
An adult man left the house around mid-morning with a a suitcase and did not return.
The Anthony family attorney has said some of the public funds would be used to move and hire additional security as they have received threats since Metcalf’s death.
‘The best thing they can do is move,’ one neighbor told DailyMail.com. ‘I think that would be best for everyone.’
