They raised $500,000 in “legal defense” and moved to a mansion, bought a fully Cadillac Escalade for $150,000, and got Karmelo some new kicks.
If I was a donor, I’d be furious!
The case of 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony has taken another twist- and this one’s raising eyebrows far beyond the courtroom. After securing a $250,000 bond reduction following his arrest for allegedly fatally stabbing fellow teen Austin Metcalf, Anthony is now back home. But not just any home.
According to the Daily Mail, Anthony is living with his family in a $900,000 house inside the Richwoods gated community in Frisco. The same family who recently claimed financial hardship to argue for a lower bond now appears to be residing in one of the city’s most upscale neighborhoods.
With a white Suburban, a black Acura, and a third sedan parked in the driveway, the optics are drawing serious questions, and plenty of neighborhood concern.
Community Concerns And Legal Questions Grow
Residents of Richwoods say they had no idea the Anthonys were living in the community until Karmelo Anthony returned home after being released from Collin County Jail on Monday.
“Not good. Not good. I don’t think he should be out,” one concerned mother told the Daily Mail. Another resident added, “They’re not poor people. That’s for sure.”
The luxury address stands in stark contrast to the defense team’s narrative, which painted a picture of financial strain. Anthony’s legal team had claimed the original $1 million bond was excessive, citing his clean record and the family’s limited resources. Defense attorney Mike Howard explained that Karmelo Anthony couldn’t easily access the $440,000 from GiveSendGo, which covered legal fees and home security.
The case stems from an April 2 altercation at a high school track meet, where Anthony allegedly stabbed Metcalf in the heart during a dispute over a seat. Anthony claims he acted in self-defense. The court granted house arrest with an ankle monitor and 24-hour adult supervision following his release.
The optics haven’t gone unnoticed. Neighbors report a steady flow of Amazon deliveries to the home, with one resident pointing out a new vehicle in the driveway. “If you look at the license plate, it’s got a paper tag and it says it expires June 4,” the neighbor told the Daily Mail.
With the murder charge still looming and public scrutiny intensifying, questions continue to swirl not just around the stabbing, but around what justice, privilege, and accountability look like in the eyes of the law and the community.
