Donations are pouring in for both sides of a heartbreaking tragedy that left 17-year-old Austin Metcalf dead in his twin brother’s arms and another teen behind bars accused of murder.Over $65K has been raised for alleged killer Karmelo Anthony. Credit: Frisco Police DepartmentA GoFundMe set up for Metcalf, a Texas high school football standout fatally stabbed during a track meet last week, has raised just shy of $250,000 (as of this writing).Meanwhile, a separate fundraiser for the accused killer, Karmelo Anthony, also 17, has topped $65,000 as of Sunday (April 6) - despite the teen facing a first-degree murder charge.The donations campaign for Anthony was launched on GiveSendGo, a site that also previously hosted a legal defense fundraiser for Daniel Penny, the man charged in the NYC subway chokehold death.“The narrative being spread is false, unjust, and harmful,” the campaign states, asserting Anthony acted in self-defense. “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 campaign had collected more than $66,000 from around 1,600 donors by Sunday morning.Many commenters claimed Anthony had been bullied before the deadly encounter, with one writing: “I’m praying for you Kamelo. It’s ok to defend yourself from bullying," and another posting, “This baby was bullied and was defending himself, I know it’s more to this story. I’m praying for you and your family."Austin Metcalf was stabbed to death on Wednesday. Credit: GoFundMeAccording to the arrest affidavit obtained by NBC DFW, the tragic incident unfolded last Wednesday (April 2) after Metcalf - who had reportedly never met Anthony before - asked him to move from his track team’s tent.Witnesses say Anthony refused and warned, “Touch me and see what happens.” When Metcalf grabbed him to move him, police say Anthony unzipped a bag, pulled out a black knife, and stabbed the junior linebacker once in the chest.The blade pierced Austin’s heart, and he died in the arms of his identical twin brother, Hunter, before he could be saved."I put my hand on [his chest], tried to make [the bleeding] stop, and I grabbed his head and I looked in his eyes. I just saw his soul leave. And it took my soul, too," Hunter shared during an emotional interview on Fox News.Their father, Jeff, arrived at the scene to find his son covered in blood with a severe chest wound. At the hospital, he shared a final, quiet goodbye - gently kissing Austin’s forehead and running his fingers through his hair.Anthony was arrested at the scene and allegedly confessed, telling police, “I’m not alleged, I did it.” He also told officers: “I was protecting myself. He put his hands on me.”Despite the charges, Anthony’s father defended his son to The New York Post, saying the teen was a hardworking student with a 3.7 GPA who held two jobs.“He’s a good kid,” the elder Anthony said. “He was not the aggressor. He was not the one who started it. I feel bad for the other parents and family, and words can’t explain how both [families] have been affected by this tragedy.”The accused teen's attorney, Deric Walpole, is now seeking to have his client’s $1 million bond reduced, arguing the teen possibly acted in self-defense.“I know that my client said it was self-defense," he said, per the outlet. "I don’t have any reason to disbelieve that, but I need to develop facts, talk to people, and figure out what’s going on before I make any statements about what I think happened."“I don’t have any reason to think it wasn’t self defense at this time," he added.Featured image credit: GiveSendGo

Karmelo Anthony has filed an appeal against his murder conviction less than a day after being sentenced to 35 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of Texas teenager Austin Metcalf.

Court records obtained by TMZ show that Anthony's legal team submitted a notice of appeal shortly after a jury delivered its verdict. The move marks the next phase in a case that has drawn national attention since the deadly confrontation at a high school track and field event in Frisco, Texas, on April 2, 2025.

Metcalf, 17, died after suffering a single stab wound to the chest during an altercation with Anthony under a tent at Kuykendall Stadium. The Frisco Memorial High School junior died in the arms of his twin brother. Anthony, who was 17 at the time of the incident, maintained that he acted in self-defense.

Defense team begins appeal process

Anthony's attorney, Mike Howard, confirmed that the defense had formally notified the court of its intention to challenge the conviction.

“After the conclusion of the trial yesterday, we gave the court our official notice that Karmelo Anthony is filing an appeal,” Howard told TMZ.

“We believe there are several important issues for the appellate courts to consider.

“An appeal is the next part of the legal process and a right afforded every American.”

The appeal announcement came after Dominique Alexander of the Next Generation Action Network revealed that his organization had provided the first $10,000 toward securing appellate representation.

Speaking to reporters after sentencing, Alexander said: “I respected this process. I allowed and called for peace in this process.

“But Black America should be very upset about what went on today.

“I’m only an advocacy leader. I’m not an attorney. I can only help families navigate these processes when they find themselves in these types of situations.

“I can only allow lawyers to be what they are – lawyers. I can’t instruct them, I can’t stop them from doing anything. I have to respect the process just like anybody else.

“But what we saw today was flawed, unjust, and I can ask that the community continue to pray for the Anthony family.”

Family and supporters react to sentencing

Following Anthony's transfer to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, family members and supporters publicly voiced their support.

His girlfriend, Valeria Perez, shared an emotional TikTok post that included photos from their relationship and the message: “Hold your head high, my sweet boy.”

“You’re not alone we’re fighting for you. I love you more than words,” Perez added.

Anthony's mother, Kala Hayes, also addressed the verdict on social media, writing: “But GOD……. The fight is not over. “It has just BEGUN.”

His uncle, Andre Anthony, posted: “What ever [sic] it takes … #FREEMELO.”

Meanwhile, TMZ reported that Metcalf's family was "very happy" with both the guilty verdict and Anthony's sentence.

Outside the Collin County Courthouse, tensions remained high after the sentencing. Anthony's grandmother, Toni Hayes, was captured on video shouting, “Racist! Bias!” from a vehicle as protesters gathered nearby.

Fundraiser closes after conviction

As the appeal process begins, Anthony's family is also set to receive more than $635,000 from an online fundraiser launched following his arrest.

The U.S. Sun reported that the campaign, created by Kala Hayes, surpassed $635,000 before it was closed by crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo after Anthony's conviction.

In a statement to the outlet, GiveSendGo said: “This campaign was created to support pre-trial needs, and those funds were disbursed over the past year for lawful purposes including legal defense and family relocation.

“With that stated purpose now complete, the campaign has been closed the funds will be paid out.

“Our policy is that a campaign’s stated purpose stays accurate so givers always know what they are supporting.

“Our prayer is for Austin Metcalf’s family, for all those affected, and for justice, mercy, and peace in our community.”

GiveSendGo founder Jacob Well separately confirmed that the family would receive the money in full.

According to organizers, the funds were intended to help cover legal expenses, relocation costs, basic living expenses, and security measures. Before the campaign was shut down, supporters continued contributing toward a fundraising goal of $1.39 million.

Featured image credit: Frisco Police Department

Following the much-criticized sentencing of Karmelo Anthony for the murder of Austin Metcalf, a picture of the victim’s father has gone viral, with him appearing to be friends with the case judge.

This comes after Anthony’s family publicly criticized the outcome of the case, describing both the conviction and punishment as completely unfair.

Speaking to a crowd of supporters after the hearing, Anthony's mother, Kala, and his brother denounced the verdict as "racist and biased" while supporters gathered nearby chanting, "free Karmelo."

Jurors reportedly spent around three hours deliberating before finding Anthony guilty. They then spent another three hours considering his punishment before returning with a sentence.

Social media spots one key detail

In the aftermath of the case, a social media post gained significant attention after claiming that Austin Metcalf's father had been photographed alongside the judge and district attorney involved in Anthony's trial.

The post alleged that the image showed Metcalf's father with the officials overseeing the case and urged people to challenge the outcome in federal court. It read: "this is a leak image of Austin Metcalf father with the Judge and DA that are presiding Karmelo Anthony case . We need to take this to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit right away."

However, those claims were quickly disputed.

A Texas attorney responded to the viral post on X, stating that the individuals in the photograph had been misidentified. He wrote: "So many lies here. This isn't Judge Roach. This isn't the DA."

The attorney also pointed out another factual error in the post, adding: "And the case will never go to the 9th Circuit because Texas is in the 5th Circuit."

X later attached a community note to the post clarifying the situation. The note stated: "The men in the photo are not Judge John Roach Jr. or Collin County DA Greg Willis, as confirmed by appearance comparisons. Texas state cases are appealed to the 5th Circuit, not the 9th."

The fatal attack

Austin, 17, died following an incident at a track and field event in Frisco, Texas, in April of last year. Prosecutors accused Anthony of fatally stabbing the teenager.

During the trial, Anthony's defense team argued that he acted in self-defense during the confrontation. Despite that argument, the jury ultimately convicted him of first-degree murder.

Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

Featured Image. Credit: Collin County

The mother of the late Austin Metcalf spoke directly to the man who fatally stabbed her son before he was sentenced.

Karmelo Anthony, 19, was sentenced to 35 years in prison on Tuesday (June 9) after being convicted of murdering Metcalf at a high school athletics event.

The teenager broke down in tears after the sentence was handed down in a Texas courtroom, as Metcalf's family delivered emotional statements about their son, directly to him.

His father, Jeff, delivered a powerful message, stating that "you can't even look me in the eyes right now, but you can stab my f**king son in the heart."

Meghan, the mother of the victim, also delivered an emotional statement in court following the sentencing, speaking about how she feels now that her son is gone.

Austin Metcalf's mother's message to Karmelo Anthony

Speaking directly to the murderer, she said, as per CBS News: "Now my conversations with him are one-sided, sitting at his grave...

"I have to accept that instead of walking beside me, he's walking above me."

She added: “Going into an empty room, empty bed, and once again remembering Austin is dead.”

Meghan said that her son was a "morning kid" and a "hugger," and said the teen "always had a way of bringing people together. He was a peacemaker."

"My son was murdered. He didn't just die," she said about the events leading to his death, admitting that the biggest challenge has been dealing with the loss daily.

Speaking directly to Anthony, she added as per WFAA: "You should feel lucky you got 35 because I’ve been given a life sentence," Meghan added of the sorrow she feels over Metcalf's death.

The statement was made after the jury delivered the sentence, with Metcalf's twin brother and father also making victim impact statements.

Austin's father speaks directly to Anthony

One of the most emotional moments in the courtroom came when Austin's father, Jeff Metcalf, demanded that Anthony look at him as he described the devastation caused by his son's death.

"You're going to prison," Jeff told Anthony, per the Daily Mail. "You can't even look me in the eyes right now, but you can stab my f**king son in the heart."

Anthony kept his head down as Austin's loved ones spoke about the impact of losing the 17-year-old, who was stabbed to death in Frisco, Texas, in April 2025.

"If you ask me what my son's death did to me, I would tell you it destroyed the person I used to be. Not changed me, destroyed me," Jeff told the courtroom.

The grieving father said that while he forgave Anthony "the day it happened," he would never forgive "what you did."

He also spoke about missing out on seeing his son grow up and admitted he wished he had been there to protect him.

"People think that grief is sadness, but it's not. It's rage! Pure unfiltered rage," Jeff shouted.

"My son's death didn't just break my heart... It destroyed my sense of safety, my faith in people."

"We're all humans. We all bleed the same color," he said about the case being about race, before turning back to Anthony and adding: "You're free to make choices all you want, but you're not free from those consequences. You will face those consequences starting today.

"You failed your parents, you failed yourself, and you failed society. You don't belong in this community," he also stated.

Featured image credit: Meghan Prall Metcalf/Facebook

The father of murdered teenager Austin Metcalf made a heartbreaking five-word demand to his son's convicted killer.

Karmelo Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison after being convicted of murdering high school athlete Austin Metcalf.

The 19-year-old broke down in tears as the sentence was handed down in a Texas courtroom on Tuesday (June 9), where Austin's family delivered emotional victim impact statements directly to him.

'Look me in the eyes'

One of the most powerful moments in the courtroom came when Austin's father, Jeff Metcalf, demanded that Anthony look at him as he described the devastation caused by his son's death.

"You're going to prison," Jeff told Anthony, per Daily Mail. "You can't even look me in the eyes right now, but you can stab my f**king son in the heart."

Anthony kept his head down as Austin's loved ones continued to speak about the impact of losing the 17-year-old, who was fatally stabbed during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, in April 2025.

"If you ask me what my son's death did to me, I would tell you it destroyed the person I used to be. Not changed me, destroyed me," Jeff told the courtroom.

The grieving father said he forgave Anthony "the day it happened" but would never forgive "what you did."

He also spoke about missing out on seeing his son grow up and admitted he wished he had been there to protect him.

"People think that grief is sadness but it's not. It's rage! Pure unfiltered rage," Jeff shouted. "My son's death didn't just break my heart... It destroyed my sense of safety, my faith in people."

The father also rejected suggestions that the case was about race, telling the court it was instead about accountability.

"We're all humans. We all bleed the same color," he said, before turning back to Anthony, and adding: "You're free to make choices all you want, but you're not free from those consequences. You will face those consequences starting today.

"You failed your parents, you failed yourself and you failed society. You don't belong in this community," he added.

Austin's twin brother speaks directly to Anthony

Austin's identical twin brother, Hunter Metcalf, also asked Anthony to make eye contact with him.

"If you could just look me in the eye while I speak, I would really respect that," he said.

Anthony continued looking down as Hunter described the future that had been stolen from his family.

"You took a son, a brother, a friend, and my best friend, from this world," he said. "You took someone from me who was supposed to be an uncle, godfather to my kids. Now I want everything taken from you."

Hunter said Anthony had let "the devil" take over during the confrontation.

"Eventually your name will be forgotten, but my brother's memory will live on," he continued. "I always say 'An eye for an eye,' but you still have air to breathe while my brother is six feet under."

He also shared how his mother cries herself to sleep and how he wakes up every day to find Austin's bedroom door still shut.

Austin's mother, Meghan Metcalf, told the court she had been left "crushed" by her son's death.

"Seeing my loving son, his identical twin, lose the most important person in his life, it crushes you as a mother," she said.

She described Austin as a teenager who brought people together. "He was the peacemaker, the protector," she added.

Addressing Anthony directly, she said: "There is a part of him you can never take away from me or anyone who loves Austin. What it meant to be loved by him. It's the love that I can continue to have in my heart.

"He was taken from us just as he was starting to really live," she continued. "You may have just been given a sentence of 35 years behind bars, but you can consider yourself lucky because I've been sentenced to a lifetime without my son."

Jury rejects attempt to reduce sentence

Anthony faced between five and 99 years in prison after being found guilty of murder.

His lawyers argued that he acted under "sudden passion," a legal defense in Texas that can reduce the severity of a sentence.

Defense attorney Mike Howard claimed Anthony "didn't have time for cool reflection," arguing: "He acted in that moment and sudden passion applies."

But prosecutor Bill Wirskye disagreed. "Sudden passion doesn't fit here. They've got it wrong," he said. "Sudden passion is when the victim, the dead person provokes. Who caused this? Not Austin Metcalf, Karmelo Anthony did."

Jurors ultimately rejected the argument before sentencing Anthony to 35 years behind bars.

What happened to Austin Metcalf?

Prosecutors said the late teenager was stabbed during an argument under a tent at a high school track meet in Frisco.

Anthony claimed he acted in self-defense, but witnesses testified that he was the aggressor and told Austin: "Touch me and see what happens."

According to testimony, Austin pushed Anthony before Anthony pulled out a folding knife and stabbed him once in the chest.

A medical examiner testified that the knife pierced Austin's chest bone and punctured the right side of his heart.

Jurors were also shown police body camera footage of Hunter desperately trying to save his brother.

Anthony will have to serve at least half of his 35 year sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

Featured image credit: GoFundMe