High school senior Karmelo Anthony, 17, has made an outrageous demand after he was charged with murder in the death of high school football star, Austin Metcalf, 17.
Anthony’s family hired a defense attorney who has requested to lower his $1 million bond.
His attorney, Deric Walpole spoke to local NBC affiliate, KXAS-TV, outside the Colin County Jail in McKinney Texas on Friday and revealed that Anthony is claiming self-defense in the alleged murder.
‘I know that my client said it was self-defense. I don’t have any reason to disbelieve that, but I need to develop facts, talk to people, and figure out what’s going on before I make any statements about what I think happened,’ Walpole said.
‘I don’t have any reason to think it wasn’t self-defense at this time.’
Walpole added that he only had a few hours to speak with Anthony but confirmed he’d be requesting a bond hearing next week.
As Anthony and his family grapple with the murder charges against the teen, Metcalf’s family has been left to grieve the football star’s shocking death after Austin died in his twin brother Hunter’s arms.
The disturbing sequence of events occurred at a track and field meet at the Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, which is in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area.
High school senior Karmelo Anthony, 17, allegedly fatally stabbed a fellow teen at a track and field meet in Frisco, Texas. His lawyer is now asking to lower his bond, as Anthony is claiming self defense
Austin Metcalf, 17, died in his twin brother’s arms after he was stabbed in the heart during a track meet
Metcalf’s twin brother Hunter held him in his arms and tried to stop the bleeding after the stabbing
The altercation between the two teens allegedly began when Metcalf told Anthony that he was sitting in the wrong team’s pop up tent.
After asking him to move, Anthony allegedly reached into his bag and threatened Metcalf, telling him, ‘Touch me and see what happens,’ according to an arrest report.
Metcalf then grabbed Anthony to move him which is allegedly when Anthony pulled out a knife and stabbed Metcalf in the chest.
Witnesses told police that after the stabbing, Metcalf was seen grabbing his chest and screaming for help.
The report accused Anthony of running away after the stabbing and telling a school resource officer that he was ‘protecting’ himself because Metcalf ‘put his hands’ on him.
Anthony had also allegedly asked police if Metcalf was going to be OK and told cops as he was taken into custody, ‘I’m not alleged. I did it.’
Metcalf’s twin brother, Hunter, had witnessed the horrific interaction and held him as he died.
Hunter attempted to save his twin’s life by stopping the blood, tearfully recalling to local ABC affiliate, WFAA, ‘I tried to whip around as fast as I could.’
The horrific altercation occurred at a track meet when Metcalf allegedly told Anthony he was sitting under the wrong tent and asked him to move
An arrest report said that Metcalf clutched his chest and cried for help after the stabbing as his twin brother rushed to his side
‘I looked at my brother and I’m not going to talk about the rest. I tried to help him.’
Hunter said he held his brother until paramedics arrived and first responders attempted to resuscitate him.
First responders performed CPR and administered blood on the scene but Metcalf died from his injury, according to Frisco Police.
Hunter’s parents also responded to the scene, with his father recalling to WFAA, ‘I could see all the blood, and I saw where the wound was, and I was very concerned, so I had to find his brother, and we rushed to the hospital.
‘And we prayed, and it’s God’s plan, I don’t understand it, but they weren’t able to save him. This is murder.’
Jeff also told the outlet that he didn’t believe Anthony’s self-defense claim, ‘If you’re caught – the best thing you’re going to do is lie your way out of it.’
‘The truth will come out – there were too many people there who saw what happened.’
Despite the family’s grief, Jeff said that his faith in God has helped him to forgive his son’s alleged killer.
‘I’m not trying to judge, but what kind of parents did this child have? What was he taught? He brought a knife to a track meet and he murdered my son by stabbing him in the heart. The guy was in the wrong place and they asked him to move and he bowed up [became angry and aggressive]. This is murder,’ Jeff Metcalf said.
‘You know what, I already forgive this person. Already. God takes care of things. God is going to take care of me. God is going to take care of my family,’ he added.
Jeff Metcalf said that he also had sympathy for Anthony’s family, who had to ‘learn that he killed someone,’ adding, ‘he devastated and killed my son who I can never get back.’
The incident has generated theories on social media, as Metcalf’s father, Jeff, told WFAA, ‘This is not a race issue. This is not a black and white issue. I don’t want someone stepping up on their soapbox trying to politicize this. Unless you were there, unless you saw it: don’t spread gossip.’
Hunter Metcalf remembered his twin brother as a ‘stud,’ and said that he did ‘everything’ for their family
Jeff Metcalf cautioned the community about misinformation online regarding his son’s death
Frisco Police Chief David A. Shilson released a statement on the incident reminding parents to teach their children that the choices they make ‘can lead to severe consequences for the rest of their lives.’
‘Violence cannot be the go-to means that our young people use as their only way to resolve disputes,’ the statement continued.
‘We must have conversations about what guides their decisions and motivations. Our Students must consider their futures in everything.
‘In every choice they make. In every word and image they post. In every person they are friends with.’
Shilson also cautioned the public to be weary of information spreading online, adding that fake social media accounts have been made to ‘deliberately spread misinformation, hate, fear, and division.’
A relative of Anthony’s, Kevin Hayes, defended the alleged killer on social media, saying he ‘defended himself against violent aggressors.’
As the community grapples with the horrific case, Metcalf’s family is remembering him as a passionate football player, a ‘bright young man,’ and a ‘leader of men,’ his father wrote in a GoFundMe description.
‘We will all remember him for the way he impacted others’ lives. I love you forever, son. It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later. God will take care of us till we meet again. RIP. Love, Dad,’ he added.
Karmelo Anthony allegedly told police that he stabbed Metcalf after he put his hands on him and his lawyer is now planning on asking for a lower bond at a hearing next week
A GoFundMe has been set up for the Metcalf family, remembering the football star as a committed and dedicated leader
Metcalf’s mother, Meghan, told WFAA, ‘He was the most amazing kid. So smart. He had college football guys looking at him to play in college. His goal was to play in college.’
‘[Austin] did everything for our family,’ Hunter told WFAA.
‘As a linebacker, he was a stud, and I always tried to fill those shoes and play with him. I had a blast my whole life playing sports with him.’
A joint statement from Metcalf’s mom and twin brother read in part, ‘Tragedies inevitably raise questions that remain unanswered.
‘We will entrust the detectives handling the investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding Austin’s passing, while our family, Hunter, and I prioritize commemorating and honoring Austin.’
