A Texas Teenager Accused of Murder Sparks Controversy Over His $1 Million Home After Being Released on Bond
Seventeen-year-old Karmelo Anthony, charged with the brutal stabbing of high school football star Austin Metcalf during a heated altercation at a Frisco track meet earlier this month, has returned home—but his living arrangements are raising eyebrows.
Despite facing serious charges, Anthony is out on bond and currently residing in a luxury, gated community in a nearly $1 million home. This has raised questions, especially after his court filings previously indicated claims of financial hardship.
Initially held on a $1 million bond at Collin County Jail, Karmelo Anthony’s legal team successfully argued for a reduction, bringing the bond down to $250,000. After securing his release, the teenager returned to a rental property in the upscale Richwoods community, where monthly rents reportedly start at $3,500.
The family’s return to the neighborhood has sparked surprise and concern among local residents. One mother voiced her unease, stating, “This doesn’t sit right. I don’t think he should be back here.” Another neighbor remarked bluntly, “These folks are clearly not struggling financially.”
The Anthony family’s lifestyle has become a growing point of contention, especially after their luxury home, located less than a mile from Centennial High School where Karmelo Anthony was once a student-athlete, was seen with three vehicles in the driveway this week. One of the cars, according to neighbors, appears to be a newly purchased vehicle with temporary tags.
Adding fuel to the fire, the family continues to raise money through a GiveSendGo campaign, which had surpassed $440,000 by Wednesday. The campaign asserts that Anthony acted in self-defense and claims that the online narratives surrounding the case have been “false and damaging.”
Anthony’s attorney, Mike Howard, justifies the fundraising efforts, stating the money is essential for the family to relocate and cover private security costs, as well as legal fees. “They’re under immense pressure,” Howard explained. “There are younger children in the house, and safety is a concern.”
Despite the influx of donations, prosecutors have raised questions about why the family hasn’t used the funds to cover Anthony’s bond. In court, the teenager’s parents explained that accessing the money wasn’t a simple process, and much of the donations had already been allocated toward securing legal representation.
Currently under strict house arrest, Anthony is being monitored with an ankle bracelet and is required to remain under constant adult supervision until his trial begins.
The tragic altercation on April 2, which led to Austin Metcalf’s death, reportedly started over a dispute about seating at the track meet. Anthony has claimed that he acted in self-defense, fearing for his safety, though this assertion is still under investigation.
As tensions continue to rise in the community, many residents are urging the Anthony family to move. One neighbor candidly expressed, “Honestly, it would probably be better for everyone.”
The case has ignited a passionate public debate, prompting difficult questions about the fairness of the justice system, the impact of public fundraising, and how wealth can influence outcomes, even in the most serious of legal cases.