Seventeen-year-old Karmelo Anthony has recently come forward with a bold request following his arrest and accusation of killing football sensation Austin Metcalf, who tragically passed away in the arms of his twin brother.
Anthony’s family hired a defense attorney who has requested to lower his bond to $1 million.
During a press conference outside the Colin County Jail in McKinney, Texas, Anthony’s lawyer, Deric Walpole, spoke with the local NBC channel KXAS-TV and disclosed Anthony’s claim of acting in self-defense in the alleged crime.
‘My client has asserted that it was an act of self-defense. While I am inclined to believe him, it is imperative for me to gather evidence, conduct interviews, and ascertain the true sequence of events before forming an opinion on the matter,’ Walpole stated.
‘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.
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.
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.’
‘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.
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
First responders performed CPR and administered blood on the scene but Metcalf died from his injury, according to Frisco Police.
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.’
‘[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.’
