Karmelo Anthony, recently convicted of murder and sentenced to 35 years behind bars, is now appealing his conviction while simultaneously claiming he’s too broke to hire legal help. According to WFAA reporting on court filings, Anthony described himself as a “penniless, destitute, and indigent person, too poor to employ counsel to represent me on the appeal.”
That’s quite a pivot for someone whose name was attached to a fundraising campaign that reportedly pulled in nearly two-thirds of a million dollars.
Just under two weeks after Anthony fatally stabbed 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, a GiveSendGo campaign titled “Help Karmelo Official Fund” appeared online. It was organized by his mother, Kala Hayes.
The goal? A jaw-dropping $1.4 million.
The result? Roughly $634,000 raised before the page disappeared.
And the stated purpose wasn’t just courtroom defense. The fundraiser itself openly admitted the money would cover a broad list of needs, stating:
“While legal defense is a critical part of this journey, we want to make it clear that this fund is not solely dedicated to legal expenses. The funds raised will also support a range of urgent and necessary means that have emerged as a result of the situation, including – but not limited to – the safe relocation of the Anthony family due to escalating threats to their safety and well-being, as well as basic living costs, transportation, counseling, and other security measures.”
In other words: legal bills, relocation, living expenses, and “security measures” — all bundled into one very generous digital piggy bank.
Meanwhile, the original fundraiser page has now been taken down entirely.
GiveSendGo, the crowdfunding platform hosting the campaign, later explained: “The fundraiser was created to support pre-trial needs, and those funds were dispersed over the past year for lawful purposes, including legal defense and family relocation with that stated purpose now complete the fundraiser has been closed. Our policy is that a fundraiser stated purpose stays accurate so givers always know what they are supporting.”
But in today’s internet economy, no controversial case is ever truly finished, a new campaign has reportedly resurfaced in support of the Anthony family. This one launched by activist Dominique Alexander, who has served as a spokesperson throughout the case.
So while one page disappears, another appears — like digital whack-a-mole powered by outrage, sympathy, and donation buttons.
Anthony is now preparing to serve his 35-year sentence while pursuing an appeal. His legal argument reportedly hinges in part on claims he cannot afford proper representation.
At the same time, the fundraising saga surrounding his case leaves lingering questions about how hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent, who ultimately controlled them, and why the public page was removed just as scrutiny intensified.
