Family of Karmelo Anthony to use crowdsourced legal funds to move house after 'racist threats'

The family of Karmelo Anthony, who has been charged in the stabbing death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, plans to use crowdsourced funds raised for Anthony's defense to move and hire security. They say this is necessary after facing racist threats.

Anthony, who faces first degree murder charges, was in court on Monday, where he was released on $250,000 bond, a reduction of the original $1 million set by the judge. Anthony was also put on house arrest pending trial. Judge Angela Tucker said that "they've never had the security issues they've faced with this case."

Prosecutors, who wanted to keep the $1 million bond in place, asked Anthony's father Andrew why the nearly half million dollars that had been crowdsourced for his son's defense could not be put toward his bond. In response, the father "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," per The Daily Mail.

A spokesperson for the family had said that they're unable to leave their house after the address was shared online and that the family had faced "graphic and racist threats," including images of "black children with knives stuck in their head."

Anthony had confronted Metcalf at a high-school track meet earlier in April and stabbed him in the heart. Metcalf died in his twin brother's arms. Anthony and Metcalf were both star football players for their respective high school teams.

Police said the stabbing occurred following a confrontation between the Metcalf and Anthony during a rain delay at the track meet. Metcalf had asked Anthony to leave the tent they were all sitting under, saying it was for the wrong team. Anthony refused to leave. A witness said he told Metcalf, “Touch me and see what happens.”

Metcalf then “grabbed Anthony to tell him to move and Anthony pulled out … a black knife and stabbed Austin once in the chest,” according to police documents. Metcalf’s twin brother Hunter tried to save him, but the injury was too severe.

“I put my hand on [his chest], tried to make [the bleeding] stop, and I grabbed his head and I looked in his eyes. I just saw his soul leave. And it took my soul, too,” Hunter told Fox News.

Anthony fled the scene but was later arrested. When questioned, he admitted to stabbing Metcalf, telling police “I’m not alleged, I did it.” He claimed to have been “protecting” himself after Metcalf “put his hands” on him.