Seventeen-year-old Karmelo Anthony was released from the Collin County Jail Monday afternoon after a judge lowered his bond from $1 million to $250,000.
Karmelo was charged with murder in the fatal stabbing of fellow student Austin Metcalf at a Frisco track meet.
Anthony appeared in court earlier that morning, dressed in a gold jail jumpsuit, handcuffed and shackled. His attorneys argued that the original bond was excessive given his clean record, deep community ties, and the pressure the case has put on his family.
They requested a reduction to $150,000, citing his roles as football and track team captain, two part-time jobs, and a stable home life since moving to the Dallas area in 2021.
Defense attorney Mike Howard emphasized Anthony’s lack of prior arrests and called for house arrest with an ankle monitor. “Every Texan deserves the right to defend themselves when they reasonably fear for their life,” Howard told reporters. “This is a tragedy for both families, and we believe the full investigation will reveal the truth.”
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
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Prosecutors pushed back, pointing to a February school altercation involving Anthony and questioning why his family hadn’t used the $400,000 raised through online donations to bond him out sooner.
Collin County First Assistant DA Bill Wirsky argued that the incident amounted to first-degree murder, saying Anthony brought a knife to a school event and escalated what may have otherwise been a fistfight.
According to witness statements and the arrest report, the altercation began under the Memorial High School tent at the track meet. Anthony allegedly warned Metcalf not to touch him before being pushed, then retrieved a knife from a bag and stabbed him. Afterward, Anthony reportedly told police, “I did it,” and asked if it might be considered self-defense.
Judge Angela Tucker, who presided only over the bond hearing, clarified that the purpose of bond is to ensure court appearances and community safety—not to measure the value of a life lost. “There is no replacement for the loss of a child,” she said. “But bond is not about punishment.”
Anthony is now under house arrest and must report weekly to a bailiff. He is also banned from social media. A new judge will be randomly assigned for trial.
Meanwhile, the Metcalf family continues to grieve. Austin Metcalf, an honor student, MVP football player, and track athlete, was buried following a memorial service on April 12. His father, Jeff Metcalf, described him as a leader and shared the heartbreak of watching Austin’s twin brother witness his death. “None of us will ever be the same,” he said.
A scholarship fund in Austin’s memory has been established by the family.
As of Saturday afternoon, a fundraiser on GiveSendGo had brought in more than $389,000. It now has a goal of $500,000.
Earlier this week, the fundraising goal was set to $450,000.
A message on the page from Anthony’s family reads: “This is the Official Support Fund for Karmelo and his family during this challenging and difficult time.
“The narrative being spread is false, unjust, and harmful. As a family of faith, we are deeply grateful for all of your support during this trying period. Your prayers and assistance mean more to us now more than ever.”
The fundraising has generated outrage on social media with people calling on the platform to stop allowing donations.