UMVA has learned that Karmelo Anthony, a 17-year-old convicted of stabbing Austin Metcalf to death, has filed forms demanding that someone else pay for his appeal, claiming he is "penniless, destitute, and indigent."
The move has sparked outrage, with many questioning the legitimacy of Anthony's claim, especially given that his family's fundraising efforts had raised over $633,000 through a GiveSendGo campaign. The fundraiser was established to help the family cope with the challenges surrounding Anthony's murder case.
The campaign was removed after Anthony's conviction, but not before it raised a substantial amount of money. Organizers had expressed gratitude for the support during that difficult time, saying it was designed to provide comprehensive assistance to the Anthony family.
However, records suggest that Anthony's parents may have used some of the donated funds for personal expenses, including purchasing a house. This has led to accusations that they took advantage of the generosity of those who donated to help their son.
Anthony has already been assigned a court-appointed attorney, Donny Perales, but his parents have expressed dissatisfaction with the trial outcome, telling a media personality that they don't believe their son received a fair trial.
In a recent interview, Anthony's parents, Kayla Hayes and Andrew Anthony, promised to "keep fighting" and claimed that they were advised to hire white attorneys, implying that they were steered away from seeking help from black lawyers. Andrew Anthony expressed regret over not being more rebellious and feeling like the system was stacked against them.
The case has raised questions about the use of donated funds and the legitimacy of Anthony's appeal claims. Many are left wondering if the outcome would have been different if the roles were reversed and the victim's family had received similar support.
