Karmelo Anthony was indicted on a charge of first-degree murder Tuesday, and the teenager is facing the possibility of a severe prison sentence if convicted.
Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced on Tuesday that a Collin County grand jury indicted Anthony on first-degree murder charges for the murder of Austin Metcalf. Anthony allegedly stabbed Metcalf in the chest during a dispute at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, on April 2. Metcalf died due to the stabbing.
A police report said that Anthony had admitted to stabbing Metcalf.
Anthony is 17, but that is considered an adult in the Texas criminal justice system. Murder is a first-degree felony offense in the state that carries a sentence of 5-99 years in prison.
Anthony’s bond was initially set at $1 million but was later lowered by a judge to $250,000. Anthony posted bond and was released but ordered to remain under house arrest.
An online fundraising campaign bearing Anthony’s name has raised more than $530,000 as of Wednesday. Anthony’s family drew backlash following reports that they had moved into a gated community and purchased a new car, but the 17-year-old’s mother said in April that the family had not used any money from the fundraising campaign.
Anthony’s family has insisted the high schooler acted in self-defense, though it remains unclear why he felt he needed to stab Metcalf to protect himself.
