Karmelo Anthony's Family Seeks $250,000 for Appeal Amid Fundraising Questions

<p>Karmelo Anthony’s family is seeking an additional $250,000 to fund his appeal after a previous campaign raised nearly $634,000 and faced scrutiny regarding the allocation of those funds, as announced at a news conference in Dallas, Texas.</p><p>This fundraising effort follows a judge's recent denial of Anthony’s request for a new trial. His family and supporters, including attorney Russell Wilson, outlined the appeal during the Dallas news conference.</p><p>Anthony, 19, was sentenced to 35 years in prison in June after being convicted of murdering 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas. He has appealed the conviction, stating he cannot afford legal representation for the appeal.</p><p>According to Wilson, the new fund aims to cover legal fees, expert witnesses, and other expenses related to challenging Anthony’s conviction. Wilson stated, "I think there's a misconception that the motion for new trial denial would have ended an appeal. It actually is part of an appeal."</p><p>Wilson indicated that the appeal process could take over a year, with the trial record expected to be compiled in October. Following this, both parties will submit written arguments, and the Dallas Court of Appeals may hold a hearing.</p><p>The new campaign follows a GiveSendGo initiative launched on Anthony’s behalf in April 2025, which raised $633,908 before being removed from public view after his conviction. The earlier campaign was organized by Anthony’s mother and initially aimed for nearly $1.4 million. The funds were intended for legal defense, relocation, living expenses, transportation, counseling, and security.</p><p>GiveSendGo reported that the funds had been used for lawful purposes, including legal defense and moving the family, and that the campaign was concluded once its goals were met.</p><p>The new campaign specifies that donations will be placed into an attorney trust account managed by Wilson, ensuring that Anthony’s family will not have access to or control over the funds. The funds are designated solely for legal expenses, such as filings, transcripts, investigators, and expert witnesses.</p><p>As of the latest update, the campaign had a goal of $250,000 and had raised $30,194. Trinicia Ricks is listed as the campaign’s creator, while Wilson is designated to receive the funds.</p><p>A reporter questioned Dominique Alexander, a civil rights activist and spokesperson for Anthony’s family, regarding the new funding request and the previous campaign’s expenditures. Alexander responded, "These are deliberate lies. Why would we ask the question to a family to answer something that clearly was a lie?"</p><p>When pressed about the previous funds, Alexander did not clarify the family’s expenses or confirm if any funds remained. He stated that the original fundraiser also assisted the family in relocating due to threats they faced.</p><p>Public records reviewed indicated that Anthony’s parents, Andrew Anthony III and Kala Hayes, were associated with business entities in Louisiana and Texas. One Texas entity, with Andrew Anthony III as its registered agent, became active 24 days after Metcalf’s death.</p><p>The records did not clarify whether these businesses generated revenue or received funds from the fundraiser. Anthony’s parents have not been accused of any wrongdoing.</p><p>In court filings, Anthony has described himself as a "penniless, destitute, and indigent person, too poor to employ counsel to represent me on the appeal."</p><p>Wilson declined to provide further details about the defense strategy, citing potential importance in future proceedings. Anthony remains in custody as the appeal process continues.</p><p>Fox News Digital has reached out to Wilson for additional comments.</p>