Karmelo Anthony’s family want to beef up their security after his release on reduced bond in murder case

The family of Karmelo Anthony, the Texas teen accused of fatally stabbing another high schooler at a track meet, is exploring options for increased security measures after his release on a reduced bond. Anthony, 17, was able to post $250,000 bond and was released from jail on Monday, although he will remain on house arrest until his trial for the murder of Austin Metcalf in Frisco on April 2.

His defense attorney, Mike Howard, initially advocated for reducing Anthony’s bond to $150,000, stating that the original $1 million bond was excessive given Anthony’s lack of prior criminal history. Howard mentioned that the family is considering moving to a gated community and hiring security due to the intense pressure they have been facing since the stabbing incident.

Anthony, who has three younger siblings, has been fitted with an ankle monitor and is required to seek approval from the court before leaving his house. He must be supervised by a parent or designated adult at all times and is obligated to check in with the judge’s bailiff every Friday morning.

An online fundraiser set up for Anthony’s legal expenses has raised over $430,000 for his family. When questioned about why they did not use the funds to pay Anthony’s bond, his parents explained that accessing the money was not a simple process and a significant portion of it has already been allocated towards his legal defense.

Anthony’s legal team asserts that he acted in self-defense when he allegedly stabbed Metcalf to death at the track meet following an altercation over seating. Howard emphasized that every Texan deserves the right to defend themselves when they fear for their life, and that self-defense is applicable to everyone. He described Anthony as a 17-year-old student, captain of his track and football teams, and expressed that the situation is tragic for both families involved.

When asked about why Anthony was armed with a knife at the track meet, Howard declined to provide a specific explanation, stating that it would be irresponsible to speculate. He urged the public to withhold judgment and emphasized the complexity of the situation.

Overall, the family of Karmelo Anthony is facing a challenging time as they navigate the legal proceedings and heightened security measures in the aftermath of the tragic events at the track meet in Frisco.