Karmelo Anthony Files Appeal and Requests Court-Appointed Lawyer After 35-Year Murder Sentence

Just one day after being sentenced to 35 years in prison for the murder of Austin Metcalf, Karmelo Anthony has filed a notice of appeal and requested that the court appoint a lawyer to represent him, citing financial hardship.

On June 9, 2026, a Texas jury convicted the 19-year-old of murder in the April 2025 stabbing death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas. Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison the same day. He has maintained throughout the case that he acted in self-defense.

The Appeal Filing

On June 10, Anthony’s legal team submitted a notice of appeal along with a request for the court to appoint an attorney for the appeals process. In the filing, Anthony is described as a “penniless, destitute, and indigent person, too poor to employ counsel.”

This request has drawn significant public attention because of a high-profile fundraising campaign that was launched after his arrest. Supporters raised more than $615,000 through a GiveSendGo campaign to help cover his legal expenses. The fundraiser has since been closed. According to the platform, the funds were intended for pre-trial needs and were fully disbursed over the course of the case.

Background of the Case

The stabbing occurred at a track and field meet when, according to investigators, Austin Metcalf asked Karmelo Anthony to move from under a tent. Witnesses told police that Anthony responded with a warning: “Touch me and see what happens.” When Metcalf allegedly attempted to move him, Anthony pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the chest.

Anthony was arrested at the scene and told officers he had acted in self-defense. The case drew national attention, in part due to debates over the level of physical contact during the altercation and questions surrounding jury selection (no Black jurors were seated on the final panel).

What Happens Next

With the notice of appeal now filed, the case will move into the appellate courts. Anthony’s new legal team (if the request for appointed counsel is granted) will likely raise issues related to the trial proceedings, including jury selection, the judge’s instructions to the jury, and whether the evidence supported a self-defense claim.

The request for a court-appointed lawyer will be reviewed by the court. If granted, it would mean the state covers the cost of his appellate representation.

Public Reaction

The contrast between the large amount previously raised through crowdfunding and Anthony’s current claim of indigence has sparked discussion online. Some view the appeal filing as a standard legal step, while others have questioned the handling of the earlier fundraiser funds.

For the family of Austin Metcalf, the verdict and sentence brought a degree of closure after more than a year of legal proceedings. For Anthony’s supporters, the conviction and lengthy sentence have been met with disappointment and calls for continued legal efforts.

The Road Ahead

As the case shifts from the trial court to the appeals process, it remains one of the most closely watched criminal cases in Texas in recent years. Whether the appellate courts will find grounds to overturn or modify the conviction and sentence will depend on the legal arguments presented in the coming months.

For now, Karmelo Anthony remains in custody serving his 35-year sentence while his legal team works to challenge the outcome of the trial.