The spokesperson for a Texas teen who fatally stabbed another boy at a track meet has suggested the accused killer is the victim in the situation.
‘Karmelo Anthony is SAFE at home. This moment is a reminder that a community united can never be divided,’ said Minister Dominique Alexander, who works with Next Generation Action Network (NGAN).
‘The journey ahead is long, but today—we celebrate a victory for justice, for family, and for the power of people coming together to protect our youth. Thank you to everyone who stood with us. The fight continues, but tonight, Karmelo is home.’
The activist also shared an image with Anthony from the teen’s $800k family home in Frisco and added the hashtags ”Justice for Karmelo’ and ‘People Power.’
Anthony, 17, walked free from jail after a controversial decision by a judge to lower his bond for charges that he stabbed and killed Austin Metcalf, who died in his twin brother’s arms.
He admitted to the killing, per police, but his lawyer has indicated he will claim that he acted in self-defense.
A donation page for the teen’s legal defense has received more than $440,000 as of Wednesday morning, with many donors claiming he is the real victim in the killing.
Local cops say a confrontation between Metcalf and Anthony broke out during a high school track meet when Metcalf called out Anthony, who did not attend the same school as Metcalf, for sitting under his team’s tent.
Metcalf demanded Anthony leave and the argument escalated when Anthony produced a knife and stabbed the junior from Memorial High School in the chest.
Accused killer Karmelo Anthony, 17, is seen at home after being released on bail with his spokesman, minister Dominique Alexander
Anthony did not answer questions from reporters Monday as he walked out of jail
Accused teen killer Karmelo Anthony lives in an ritzy gated community, Richwoods, in Frisco, Texas. The 17-year-old will spend his house arrest there
Alexander, Anthony’s spokesman, was previously forced to deny viral rumors that Metcalf had bullied the accused killer and said the two had never met each other before the stabbing.
Alexander had also claimed the family could not leave their home after their address was leaked online, leading to ‘graphic and racist threats,’ which included images of ‘black children with knives stuck in their head.’
Meanwhile the judge who reduced Anthony’s bond has gone private on social media after receiving racist attacks for her ruling, with several social media accounts sharing her image and information as they slam the bond reduction.
During Monday’s hearing, judge Angela Tucker said ‘they’ve never had the security issues they’ve faced with this case.’
Prosecutors on Monday questioned Anthony’s father Andrew about the donation page for him that is approaching the half-a-million-dollars mark.
Andrew Anthony said the fund was to be used for Anthony’s legal defense. But he also disclosed that the cash would be used for security and to help the family move after the threats they have allegedly faced since the killing.
Football star Austin Metcalf, 17, died after being stabbed in the heart during a track meet
Austin’s twin brother Hunter held him in his arms and tried to stop the bleeding after the stabbing on April 2
The killing happened at the the Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco at an interschool track meet
Anthony’s family has been renting a $900,000 home in the gate community “Richwoods’ in Frisco, Texas
Anthony’s attorney Michael Howard said, regarding the money: ‘It would be disingenuous to say there isn’t money… But it is not a bond fund. This family needs to be able to survive.’
‘Every Texan has a right to defend themselves when they reasonably fear for their life. Self-defense is a protection that applies to each and every one of us,’ Howard said. ‘There are two sides to every story.’
Howard said he is not ready to disclose why Anthony brought a knife to the track match.
As part of the terms of his release, Anthony is under house arrest and must wear an ankle monitor.
The teenager is now hunkered down in a Frisco home located on Mercedes Lane that his family is renting for an estimated price tag of $3,500 a month, according to Zillow.
When DailyMail.com visited the home Tuesday, a white Suburban, a black Acura and a third sedan were parked in the driveway.
One resident told DailyMail.com the family just purchased a new vehicle.
The lavish lifestyle is in stark contract to the cash struggles Anthony’s father, Andrew Anthony, claimed to have in court Monday, where the parent claimed he was the sole breadwinner.
The Anthony family claimed to have cash problems while living in the expensive Richwoods gated neighborhood
Anthony reportedly told cops that he acted after Metcalf touched him in a confrontation. He is also a star athlete at his high school
Prosecutors grilled Anthony over why he could not use the more than $439,000 (as of Tuesday night) in donated funds for his son’s defense to pay the $1 million bond the judge had set.
Andrew told the court that he has no access to the donated funds and instead planned to use the money for his son’s legal defense.
Anthony was described as the oldest of three children who had never been arrested before Metcalf’s murder.
He was the captain of his football and track teams at school and worked at Foot Locker, as well as a second job at a H-E-B supermarket prior to the stabbing.
His father said he was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana but the family moved to Texas a few years ago ‘for a better life.’
The father added that he took a leave from his job as a finance manager in a car dealership following Metcalf’s killing.
