Posted on 06/21/2026 9:15:39 AM PDT by Morgana
Although the family of Karmelo Anthony brought in more than $600,000 in a fundraising pitch after the now-convicted killer was charged with murder, Anthony now says he is broke.
Anthony filed to have taxpayers foot the bill for the appeal of his murder conviction and 35-year sentence, according to Fox News.
Days after he was sentenced for stabbing Austin Metcalf in April 2025, when the killer and victim were each 17, Anthony filed the forms demanding someone else pay for his appeal.
In the filing he said he was “penniless, destitute, and indigent person, too poor to employ counsel to represent me on the appeal.”
A GiveSendGo campaign raised $633,908. It was removed after Anthony’s conviction.
Organizers said the fundraiser was designed to help the family cope after the black teen was charged with murder.
“We are grateful for your support during this incredibly difficult time for Karmelo Anthony and his family,” organizers wrote.
“This fundraiser has been established to provide comprehensive assistance to the Anthony family as they navigate the many challenges surrounding Karmelo’s case,” it said.
Anthony has already been assigned court-appointed attorney Donny Perales of McKinney, Texas, according to Texas Metro News.
Mike Howard and Toby Shook represented Anthony at the trial.
The convicted murderer’s attorneys were not given any praise when Anthony’s parents spoke to the media recently.
Media personality Mimi Brown — a fixture on the black-oriented radio program “The Breakfast Club” — spoke to Anthony’s parents, Kayla Hayes and Andrew Anthony, during a recent interview.
At one point, she asked the two, “So, do you believe your son received a fair trial?”
Both replied “absolutely not,” and Hayes promised to “keep fighting.” Brown also asked if the two would have done anything differently.
Andrew Anthony replied, “I wish I would have just been rebellious. I was told, ‘Don’t talk to this person.’ ‘Don’t talk to this person.’ I feel like it was just a set-up. So, they told us, go get white attorneys. Every black person I went to, ‘white attorney.’”
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
And that is called paying the Dane-geld;
But we’ve proved it again and again,
That if once you have paid him the Dane-geld
You never get rid of the Dane.—Kipling
I can cut a check to anyone as long as it meets gift tax rules and isn't considered to be a bribe or an inappropriate business transaction..
He doesn’t so taxpayers will
It's still taxpayer money in the end.
Yes, it is taxpayer money and the taxpayer is obligated by law to cover the cost of the first appeal.
What does this mean? Removed by GSG? Or drained of funds by the family?
The need for a brand-new Caddy SUV and to be able to move up to a 'spensive house outside of da 'hood!
Where are all the dedicated pro bono prisoners’ rights attorneys who enjoy the endless appeal scam?
I’ll bet they actually said “get a white Jewish attorney.”
There are ways for him to “earn” money in prison.
No. They do plea deals. Whether the defendant wants it or not.
That's because politicians passed the law, not the people by referendum. Taxpayers should have the right to approve any money politicians want to pay out for benefits to convicted criminals, among other bogus crap politicians throw money at.
“Anthony brought in more than $600,000 in a fundraising pitch after the now-convicted killer was charged with murder, Anthony now says he is broke.”
From $600,000 to broke. Must have purchased a lot of “bling” or cocaine (or both).
Here’s my contribution...I’m flicking the sweat off of my brow.
Well, there is a choice, like obeying the law & staying out of trouble. It works for a lot of people.
Well, there is a choice, like obeying the law & staying out of trouble. It works for a lot of people.
Are we being PLAYED? This smells like an influence operation aimed at deepening the divide between whitey and the gimme dats ahead of the midterms. I've seen this movie before, George Floyd, Rodney King, etc..
Give him a tin cup. He can beg in prison. Or sell his @$$.
The fund always had been there only until the verdict. Once the verdict came in it was shut down as planned Of course, by then, the Anthony family already had drained it dry for buying cars, etc.
Now they’re pimping out their disgusting son to get a new GAG for his appeal. They want to buy more new toys.
The entire family is a hot mess.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.