Karmelo Anthony hires new defense attorney as court date looms

Karmelo Anthony, the 17-year-old charged in connection with the fatal incident involving high school athlete Austin Metcalf at a track meet in Frisco, Texas earlier this month, has retained a new defense attorney ahead of his first court appearance. The incident occurred on April 2 at Kuykendall Stadium after a disagreement between students from different schools. Reports say Metcalf, attending the event with his twin brother, approached Anthony regarding seating arrangements. A confrontation followed, leading to a tragic outcome. Anthony, a student at Centennial High School, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. He remains in custody at Collin County Jail on a $1 million bond. A fundraiser supporting Anthony’s family has raised over $400,000, drawing mixed public reactions. Ahead of today’s bond hearing (April 14), Anthony’s family officially retained Dallas attorney Mike Howard. His previous legal team, Billy Clark and Kim T. Cole, confirmed they will no longer represent him. The nonprofit Next Generation Action Network (NGAN), which supports the teen, shared: “Karmelo deserves what every citizen deserves: fair treatment and full rights under the law. We won’t stop fighting until he gets it.” A private funeral for Austin Metcalf was held Saturday at Hope Fellowship Frisco East, followed by a private burial