Teen Convicted of Murder Seeks Public Defender Despite Raised Funds

Karmelo Anthony, a teenager from Texas, has been convicted of murdering a fellow athlete during a high school track meet. Following his conviction, Anthony is seeking a court-appointed public defender for his appeal. This request comes after his family raised over $634,000 through a GiveSendGo fundraiser to cover legal fees and other expenses.

Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the 2025 murder of Austin Metcalf. He argues in his appeal notice that he is unable to afford legal representation despite the substantial funds raised. The online fundraiser, which aimed to reach $1.4 million, was removed after his conviction.

The fundraiser reportedly detailed its allocation for both legal defense and the relocation of Anthony’s family due to threats to their safety. It also planned to cover basic living costs, transportation, counseling, and other needs arising from the case.

The GiveSendGo platform stipulates that funds for violent charges must be strictly for legal defense, and must be directly transferred to a licensed attorney. Anthony’s family initially posted the fundraiser shortly after the incident in April 2025.

GiveSendGo stated the funds were used for lawful purposes, but the campaign is now closed as the stated needs are considered met. Fox News Digital contacted both Anthony’s attorney and GiveSendGo for further comments. Julia Bonavita, a writer and drone pilot for Fox News Digital, contributed to the report.