Texas Teen Accused in Fatal Stabbing Now Living in Luxury, Sparking Outrage
A Texas teen charged in the shocking fatal stabbing of a high school football star is back home—but it’s where he’s staying that’s stirring controversy.
Seventeen-year-old Karmelo Anthony, accused of killing fellow student Austin Metcalf during a heated altercation at a Frisco track meet earlier this month, has been released on bond. However, instead of returning to modest accommodations, Anthony is reportedly residing in a lavish, gated community—inside a home valued at nearly $1 million.
The revelation is raising eyebrows, particularly after earlier court filings cited financial hardship. Now, with his upscale surroundings making headlines, the public is demanding answers.
Anthony was initially held at the Collin County Jail on a $1 million bond. But after his legal team argued the amount was excessive, a judge agreed to reduce it to $250,000. Soon after posting bail, the 17-year-old returned to a rental home in Frisco’s upscale Richwoods community—where monthly rents are reported to average around $3,500.
Neighbors say they were stunned to see the Anthony family back in the neighborhood. “This doesn’t sit right. I don’t think he should be back here,” one concerned mother told reporters. Another resident was more direct: “These folks are clearly not struggling financially.”
The upscale home—located less than a mile from Centennial High School, where Anthony once played as a student-athlete—had three vehicles parked in the driveway this week, including what neighbors identified as a recently purchased car still bearing temporary tags.
The family’s outward display of affluence has fueled growing criticism, particularly in light of their ongoing crowdfunding efforts. A GiveSendGo campaign, launched to support Anthony’s legal battle, had raised more than $440,000 as of Wednesday. The campaign asserts that the teen acted in self-defense and claims the online narrative surrounding the incident has been “false and damaging.”
Anthony’s attorney, Mike Howard, defended the fundraising, saying the money is crucial for relocation, private security, and mounting a legal defense. “The family is under immense pressure,” Howard stated. “There are younger children in the household, and their safety is a serious concern.”
Despite the surge in donations, prosecutors pressed the family on why none of the funds were used to post Anthony’s bond. In response, the teen’s parents told the court that accessing the money had been complicated—and that a significant portion had already been spent on mounting his legal defense.
Now, Anthony remains under strict house arrest, fitted with an ankle monitor and required to have round-the-clock adult supervision as he awaits trial.
The fatal encounter that claimed the life of Austin Metcalf unfolded on April 2 during a high school track meet. The dispute reportedly began over something as trivial as seating. Anthony later told police he feared for his life and acted in self-defense—a claim that continues to be scrutinized as the investigation moves forward.
As tensions mount in the neighborhood, calls for the Anthony family to leave have grown louder. “Honestly, it would probably be better for everyone,” one resident said bluntly.
The case has ignited a firestorm of public debate, raising difficult questions about equity in the justice system, the ethics of online fundraising, and the influence of wealth in shaping legal outcomes—even in cases involving the gravest of accusations.
