The family of Karmelo Anthony, a 17-year-old Black honor student accused of the fatal stabbing of another teen, held a news conference on April 17 to talk about their son and to refute some of the misinformation, disinformation, and lies that have been circulating about the case in the media and online.
“In the wake of this tragic incident, our family has been under attack. Whatever you think, what happened between Karmelo and the Metcalf boys, my three younger children, my husband and I didn’t do anything to deserve to be threatened, harassed and lied about.
The lies and false accusations that have been said about us, especially over the past week, has been overwhelming,” stated Karmelo’s mother, Kala Hayes, at the news conference, which was held in Dallas at the headquarters of The Next Generation Action Network.
The lies and their amplification put her family in danger, as well as everyone in their community and involved in the investigation, she explained. “Our address and my husband’s previous employer’s address has been put on all social media platforms.
My husband had to take a leave of absence because he’s afraid what may happen to our family. His mental health is deteriorating day by day. We have endured death threats,” she said, weeping.
“My 13-year-old daughter is afraid to sleep in her own bedroom because she’s fearful of what may happen to her,” continued Ms. Hayes, as her husband, Andrew Anthony, consoled her, wiping the tears flowing down her cheeks at times.
“I don’t know why we are being targeted and discriminated against before a fair trial. Our son deserves the same rights under the law that everyone is afforded, too.
He’s been raised in a two-parent home with structure, stability, love, and we put God first in everything that we do! We believe in the Constitution. We believe in the laws of this state, but those laws must apply to all of us, not just some of us,” she continued.
She also addressed false allegations about money being raised to assist with her son’s defense.
“And let me be clear! The claims that were used about the public donation to buy a home or anything else are completely false! We have not received a single dime from the GiveSendGo fundraiser,” she stated.
The Anthony family will not speak publicly about specific details of what happened, she said, adding that there is an active investigation and that everyone involved wants to be full and fair. “We believe in the legal process, and that is where the truth will come out,” said Ms. Hayes.
“To the family who experienced the loss, my heart truly goes out to you,” said Ms. Hayes, as she wept harder through heavy but short breaths.
“To those who have supported my family, thank you, from the bottom of our hearts. We ask for your continued support, patience and prayers as we navigate this difficult process,” she concluded.
The Anthony family moved to North Texas in search of a better life three years ago, the stay-at-home mom told reporters. Her husband’s hard work financially secured them, and her life’s mission was to ensure their children are loved, nurtured, and supported every step of the way, but that changed under a tent on a “rainy, awful day,” she said.
The incident took place on April 2 during a track and field event at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas. According to reports, police state Karmelo and Austin were involved in a disagreement over a seat at the track meet before the stabbing. Austin allegedly touched or grabbed Karmelo when he was subsequently stabbed. Karmelo allegedly told officers he was defending himself.
Karmelo, who has now been suspended, was a student at Centennial High School. He is charged with murder in the death of Austin Metcalf, also 17. Karmelo was released from the Collins County Jail in Texas on April 14.
Judge Angela Tucker of the 199th District Court reduced his bail from $1 million to $250,000 and placed the teen under house arrest, with the following terms:
Court approval is required for Karmelo to leave his house; He must be supervised by a parent or designated adult at all times and he must check in with the judge’s bailiff every Friday morning. In addition, Karmelo is barred from using social media or contacting the Metcalf family in any way.
Houston-based defense attorney Sadiyah Karriem said Karmelo’s release on reduced bail is not a celebration, but a recognition that even amid tragedy, due process still matters.
“A young man’s life has been lost, and another young life is now caught in the grip of a system that too often criminalizes without seeking to understand. My heart is with both families.
I pray this case is handled with truth, transparency, and a commitment to justice, not just a rush to punishment. We’re in a time that demands compassion and accountability, not quick judgments. May justice for both families be served,” she continued.
“Self-defense is a protection that applies to each and every one of us,” said Mike Howard, the Anthony family’s new attorney. “There are two sides to every story, and Karmelo is a 17-year-old kid and an excellent student.
He is the captain of his track team. He is the captain of his football team. And prior to this … what was on his mind was what college he was going to go to.
This is a tragedy all the way around for both families,” he stated during a post-bond hearing press conference outside the courthouse. “Rushing to judgment, trial by public perception and trial by media is not how we ensure justice is done,” Atty. Howard continued.
A witness, according to CBS News, said Austin Metcalf touched Karmelo Anthony, and another witness said Metcalf grabbed Anthony.
Meanwhile, the Metcalf family held a memorial service and private burial for their son Austin at Hope Fellowship Frisco East on April 12.
The case has garnered significant public attention, fueled in part by a rush to judgment assassination of the Black teen’s character and conflicting reports narrated by mainstream media and misinformation circulating on social media.
“I think you can imagine the press coverage on this case has been immense, and the online and public reaction has been immense, and unfortunately, as is common in our culture, especially lately, the vitriol and the public reaction, one way or the other, has been intense.
And threats and talk of race war and all kinds of insanity isn’t good for, obviously, the Anthony family. It’s not good for the Metcalf family. It’s not good for the peace and safety of our community,” said Atty. Howard.
Judge Tucker, who is Black, has also reportedly received death threats, and her home address was shared online. A Republican elected official, her decision was grounded in legal reasoning but met with explosive backlash, reported the Atlantic Black Star.
“MAGA circles erupted into full-blown meltdown mode, with social media flooded by outrage, conspiracy theories, and racially charged attacks, many zeroing in on the fact that Tucker is a Black woman in a position of power,” it reported.
Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis called the case a terrible tragedy for not just Frisco, but the Collin County community, reported FOX 4. “We look forward to continuing the process and looking at all the facts of this case,” he stated, after the bond hearing.
