Karmelo Anthony hires new defense attorney ahead of murder trial

Karmelo Anthony, the 17-year-old charged with the murder of high school athlete Austin Metcalf, has hired a new defense attorney just before his court appearance in Frisco, Texas.

On April 2, a regular school sports event turned deadly when Austin Metcalf, a well-known athlete from Frisco Memorial High School, was stabbed during a track meet at Kuykendall Stadium. Austin and his twin brother, Hunter, were attending the event when they saw Karmelo Anthony, a student from Centennial High School, sitting in a tent meant for Frisco Memorial students.

Witnesses say Austin asked Karmelo to move, and an argument broke out. During the confrontation, Karmelo allegedly pulled a knife from his backpack and stabbed Austin in the chest. The wound was fatal. Austin tragically died in his brother’s arms at the scene.

New legal team for a high-profile case

Since the incident, Karmelo Anthony has been held at Collin County Jail on a $1 million bond and charged with first-degree murder. With his bond hearing scheduled for Monday, April 14, his family has now brought in a new lawyer to take over the case—Dallas defense attorney Mike Howard.

Previously, attorneys Billy Clark and Kim T. Cole were representing Karmelo, but they stepped away from the case over the weekend. The legal change was announced by the Next Generation Action Network (NGAN), a group supporting Karmelo’s right to a fair trial.

In their statement, NGAN said:

“Karmelo deserves what every citizen deserves: fair treatment and full rights under the law. We won’t stop fighting until he gets it.”

A divided response from the public

The incident has sparked intense emotions and debate across the community and online. Some people are rallying behind Austin Metcalf’s grieving family, honoring him as a beloved student and promising football player with a bright future. Others, especially supporters of Karmelo, argue that the teen deserves a full and fair legal process, with some suggesting he acted in self-defense.

Adding to the public divide is a fundraiser for Karmelo’s family, which has raised over $400,000 in donations. While some say the money will help his legal team and support his loved ones, others have criticized the fundraiser, calling it inappropriate given the nature of the charges.

A farewell to a young life lost

Austin Metcalf’s family held a private funeral on Saturday, April 13, at Hope Fellowship Frisco East church. Friends, teammates, and relatives gathered to remember a kind-hearted teen with big dreams of playing college football.

The tragedy of Austin’s death has left a hole in the hearts of many in Frisco. His final social media post has gone viral, with many describing it as heartbreaking in light of what followed.

As the court process begins, the case of Karmelo Anthony and Austin Metcalf continues to raise tough questions about youth violence, school safety, and justice. Whether the legal system finds Karmelo guilty or not, two families are forever changed.

The next steps in court will be closely watched, with both sides preparing for a long and emotional journey ahead.