A group of well-known appellate, civil rights, and criminal defense attorneys will take on Karmelo Anthony’s appeal as a pro bono, following his 35-year sentence in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf.
The attorneys include Ben Crump, Michael L. Ware, Brooke Cluse, Russell Wilson II, Gary Bledsoe (president of the Texas NAACP), Sean Daredia, and Justin A. Moore.
Anthony was convicted after an eight-day trial stemming from an April 2, 2025 confrontation at a Frisco track meet that resulted in Metcalf’s death. Following deliberations, an all-white jury found Anthony guilty, drawing criticism among some supporters and civil rights advocates about the makeup of the jury and the handling of the case.
According to the “Stand with Karmelo Anthony Coalition” press release, they will look into all avenues of an appeal and conduct an independent review of the trial records. While recognizing the loss experienced by Metcalf’s family, the team’s focus is on determining whether any errors were made during the legal process and ensuring that all matters supported by the record receive careful consideration.
The announcement follows the release of body camera footage from Anthony’s arrest. In the video, Anthony is heard saying, “He put his hands on me. I told him not to. He put his hands on me,” as officers took him into custody after the stabbing.
